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ZOHARITA 



PLAY IN FIVE ACTS 



BY 



Mistocles & Jenova 




HAMANN PRESS 
Minneapolis, 1917. 






I 



Copyrighted 1917 

By 
Nicolai Husted 



JUN 25 1917 



'CIA467666 



U^.^^ 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 



Earl Melton — Politician and Reformer. 

LiLLiTH — His Wife. 

Grace — Their Daughter. 

The maid at Melton's House. 

ZoHARiTA — A woman well versed in the esoteric 

teachings and mysteries. 
The servant in Zoharita's home. 
Aldrich — A capitalist and business man. 
A clerk in Aldrich's office. 
Franklin — His attorney, and also politician. 
Inglehart — Publisher and Editor. 
Mrs. Inglehart — His Wife. 
Mrs. Lenox — A wealthy Widow. 
Stevenson — A Minister. 
Prince of Edom — Black magician. 
A policeman. 

Some dwarfs and an Apparition. 
A working man's wife and her little girl. 
Other women, a man, and some town's-people. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. 

The play is enacted in a city in the Eastern part of the 
United States. The first four acts take place during a 
political campaign, and the fifth act some time later. 

AldricWs private office. A desk with telephone and 
some papers upon it, to the left. One door in the hack 
and one on the right; also a window on the right, at the 
left of the door. Some chairs are placed near the desk. 

John Aldrich, a corpulent man passed his fifties, and 
Prince of Edom, who is disguised as an army officer, 
enter. 



Prince of Edom. 

(Gesticulating as they enter.) Preparedness! 
Preparedness ! I stand for an ever increasing arm- 
ament ! I am proud to say I have gained the con- 
fidence of the president. Moreover, I have seen 
two ex-presidents and some patriotic senators and 
congressmen, and they all accept my view that the 
safety of the nation can be guaranteed only by a 
great army and a mighty navy. 



ZOHARITA. 



Aldrich. 
That's what I have maintained myself. We 
agree perfectly. 

Prince of Edom. 

I suggested to the president and the house com- 
mittee on naval and military affairs that fifty bat- 
tleships be built, and that a standing army of two 
million strong be created at once. 

Aldrich. 
{Clasps his hand.) I certainly appreciate to 
know that this preparedness movement is a product 
of your brain, general ! 

Prince of Edom. 

Well, as I stated when I made your acquaint- 
ance, I am much interested in American affairs, 
otherwise you would have reason to wonder why 
I, an European army officer, should recommend 
and even plan preparedness for war in this country. 

Aldrich. 

I think I see your point. In other words, you 
mean to say that you keep on the business side of 
the fence, like myself — 

Prince of Edom. 
{Bowing.) Very well that you realize my 



ZOHARITA. 



motive, although my business may be a secret to 
you. 

Aldrich. 

Business is business all the same, and I highly 
appreciate a business talent. Be seated, General. 
{They both sit down.) 

Prince of Edom. 

Although I am proud to say that the gentlemen 
in charge of the affairs of State have unhesitating- 
ly accepted my views, and incorporated my ideas 
into their public speeches, it worries me to see that 
I have a mighty opponent fast rising into promi- 
nence. I make reference to this candidate for 
Congress, Melton. He is bent on putting an end 
to all the armament of all the world. (Clinches his 
fist. ) That man has stirred me to anger ! 

Aldrich. 
(With emphasis.) As I have said, Melton is a 
revolutionist and the most dangerous man to the 
business interest of the country that could ever 
enter Congress. 

Prince of Edom. 

He is a specialist in concentrating his power in 
words of telling effect. Thus I heard him say, 
with the emphasis of a statesman, in a public 



8 ZOHARITA. 



speech recently: (rises) "Suppose we could make 
guns powerful enough to shoot across the Atlan- 
tic, and explosives powerful enough to make tidal 
waves and cataclysms, why could not a supposed 
enemy do the same thing? Where would be your 
safety under this most formidable preparedness? 
(He looks inquiringly at Aldrich.) 

Aldrich. 
He is always poking at something, and always 
trying to hurt big business. 

Prince of Edgm. 

But he should not be tolerated. I heard him 
say, on the same occasion, that if each great na- 
tion had expended, only during a few decades, the 
cost of one modern battleship in an effort to unite 
all nations into a United States of the world, which 
he said some day would become an accomplished 
fact, there would now have been no need of armies 
or navies. 

I was exceedingly surprised. Over in my coun- 
tries a man would have been imprisoned for point- 
ing out the fallacy of the government. 

Aldrich. 
I have heard you are much ahead of us in dis- 
cipline over there, (with a gesture and emphasis) 
but I hope we shall make some improvement in 
that respect ourselves, before long. 



ZOHARITA. 



Prince of Edom. 
To ridicule the wisdom of the government 
couldn't be too promptly punished. Look out, Mr. 
Aldrich ! Melton will be a great power in politics, 
and I see in him much danger to our common in- 
terests. 

Aldrich. 
(Rises excited.) Well, we are pushing the 
campaign with great energy, and I hope Mr. Frank- 
lin, my noted attorney, who is running against him, 
will win out. 

Prince of Edom. 

Yes, but to hope isn't enough. Hope in a po- 
litical campaign amounts to as much as a prayer in 
war. (With emphasis.) We must make sure! 

Aldrich. 

(Strikes the desk with his fist.) That's just 
it, General ! 

Prince of Edom. 

One of the most dangerous features about Mel- 
ton, you will have to overcome in this campaign, 
is the people's confidence in him. 

Aldrich. 
I know it, General, I know it. (Gesticulates.) 
That he has gained such a hold on the people is 



10 ZOHARITA 



deplorable, to say the least, but I shall fix Melton 
in one way or another, don't you forget it. 

Prince of Edom. 
(Draws his sword and szvings it.) I wish I 
had him on a battlefield. — (Strikes the desk with 
his sword.) But, listen — 

Aldrich. 
Very well, General. 

Prince of Edom. 

Shut down your factories and mills and even 
mines until after the election. Thousands of work- 
ing men who now favor Melton would then soon 
begin to realize that their welfare rests with you 
and with the success of your candidates for public 
offices. 

Aldrich. 
(Snaps his finger.) By George! That's a 
bright idea ! Maybe I better turn those calamity 
howlers out on their own resources, and perhaps 
they will discover they have at least had a good 
thing. 

Prince of Edom. 
Go ahead ! Let it be a warning to the workers 
that under the uncertainty as to the result of the 
election and the future stability of business condi- 



ZOHARITA 11 



tions, you are forced to suspend operation in order 
to protect yourself against threatening financial 
loss. (Laughs.) 

Aldrich. 
(With glee.) Yes, I shall sound a warning 
that shall not easily be forgotten. And when the 
election day comes, the people will know what to 
do for their own good. 

Prince of Edom. 
Well, I am on a flying visit and must be going ; 
but to aid matters I will go and see Mrs. Melton 
and put her wise to the danger of her husband. 
(He grins.) 

Aldrich. 
(Smiling.) I wish you would, General. 

Prince of Edom. 

I also intend to see pastor Stevenson and the 
editors in town. I am having a hand in this game 
myself. 

Aldrich. 
(Pleased.) Well, well; I certainly appreciate 
your good will. General. 

Prince of Edom. 
I have too great investments in ammunition — 



12 ZOHARITA 



manufacturing and navy yards to stand inactive 
while enemies try to destroy my business. 

Aldrich. 
There you spoke a wise word, General ! I have 
similar investments myself, and am on the defen- 
sive for the same interests. 

Prince of Edom. 
(Rests his sword on Aldrich' s shoulder.) It is 
well, my mighty financier, that we can thus work 
together. (Grins.) I have whispered a sugges- 
tion into the ear of Mr. Franklin as to how you 
may attack Melton's character and blast people's 
confidence in him. 

Aldrich. 

(Delighted.) If you have a practical scheme 
we can work successfully to that end, I shall be 
glad to do you some valuable service in return. 

Prince of Edom. 
(Puts the szvord into the scabbard.) That 
pleases me much. See Mr. Franklin on the matter 
at once, and act without delay. (He goes toward 
the door, to the right.) 

Aldrich. 

(Steps forth.) Yes, yes, but don't be in such 
a hurry — 



ZOHARITA 13 



Prince of Edom. 
(Approaches Aldrich a few steps.) I suppose 
you will go to the church next Sunday, as usual ? 

Aldrich. 
{With an interrogating look.) I think so. 

Prince of Edom. 
Then I may come and sit in your pew. 

Aldrich. 

Indeed, indeed. I would esteem it a great 
honor. 

Prince of Edom. 

And I shall regard it a pleasure — {Bows.) Au 
revoir. {He goes out to the right.) 

Aldrich. 

{To himself.) That was a peculiar geyser — 
and he cut his sword into my desk, too. {Scrutin- 
izes the desk and draws his fingers along the edge. ") 
That was strange. Not a mark — 

Franklin. 
{Enters from the right.) Well, Mr. Aldrich, 
have you heard the latest news? 

Aldrich. 
{Interested.) What news? 



14 ZOHARITA 



Franklin. 
That a European army officer has suddenly 
popped up in the city and throws no shadow. 

Aldrich. 

(Surprised.) What? That general? I sized 
him up to be very natural, and a man of business 
sagacity at that. 

Franklin. 
(Also surprised.) You did? When did you 
see him? 

Aldrich. 

Why, didn't you meet him? He went out 
through that door this very minute. 

(Franklin and Aldrich look astonished at each 
other and sit down.) 

Franklin. 
(After a brief silence.) I am not superstitious, 
and no one ever took me for a fool, but I will be 
hanged if anybody has gone through that door for 
the last ten minutes, as I stood right out there, on 
the street, for some time, talking with a man. 

Aldrich. 
(Raises his fist and laughs.) Now I see 
through it. You are trying to play a joke on me. 
But neither am I superstitious, and neither have I 



ZOHARITA 15 



ever passed for a fool. No, no, Mr. Franklin, 
your scheme will not work ! 

Franklin. 
I am in earnest, and I was just told that some 
newspaper men tried to snap the officer on the 
street, but that the camera failed to take his pic- 
ture. 

Aldrich. 

(Turns to the telephone.) What in thun- 
der — Main 345, please — Hello ! This is John Aid- 
rich talking. Let me speak to Editor Inglehart, 
please — Say : what do you know about this Euro- 
pean army officer who has just come to town? — 

Is that true? The camera wouldn't 

take his picture — eh? {Hangs up the receiver.) 
What devil's yarn is this anyhow? 

Franklin. 
Well, didn't I tell you the truth ? 

Aldrich. 

I will be damned if you aren't both trying to 
fool me ! However, the general was here and was 
much interested in our campaign. He talked and 
acted as if he were an old acquaintance of mine, 
and I simply did the same to him in return. In 
fact, he was well informed and gave me some val- 



16 ZOHARITA 



uable hints. (Passes cigars.) Have a smoke. 
(They both light a cigar.) 

Franklin. 
Well, coming down to business, you are aware 
that this clever and remarkable woman, Zoharita, 
who recently came to the city, is Melton's inspir- 
ing power, or at least appears to be. 

Aldrich. 
Yes— 

Franklin. 

The very fact that Melton appears to be in 
league with this woman, who is looked upon as a 
revolutionist, can well be used as a danger-sign on 
his politics. 

Aldrich. 

(Rises with glee.) Of course! We shall trap 
him ! We shall crush him ! He may fool the peo- 
ple on philosophical and religious questions, but 
they will not stand for any revolutionary politics. 

Franklin. 

Not at all. But he diverts their attention from 
the real issue. Being that we stand for a great 
army and navy as the only means of national de- 
fense, he has brought up the question of interna- 
tional peace and disarmament as a side issue in this 



ZOHARITA 17 

campaign, and fired the people to enthusiasm with 
his schem.e of a Federation of the World. 

Aldrich. 
(Gesticulates.) He is playing a develish trick 
on us, but we must counteract his effort at any cost. 

Fran klin. 
I have it all figured out. 

Aldrich. 
(Delighted.) Have you — 

Franklin. 

We are compelled to attack Melton's character. 

But of course, inasmuch as he is a member of our 

church and has formerly been a friend of us both, 

I have hesitated in attacking him on moral grounds. 

Aldrich. 
To hell with the friendship ! 

Franklin. 

I have thought matters over like this : Having 
the press in your grip, you may suggest the propo- 
sition to the proper man and hint, that Melton's 
character is questionable. You may put it this 
way, that there, is reason to mistrust a man who 
sets out as a reformer and a preacher of morals 
and, although having wife and family, keeps fre- 



18 ZOHARITA 



quent company with another woman, whose ideas 
he has made his gospel. 

Aldrich. 
(Snaps his fingers.) There you struck it, by 
Jupiter! The general told me he had whispered a 
suggestion into your ear as how to attack Melton's 
character. 

Franklin. 
That confounded liar ! I never saw the man. 

Aldrich. 
(Laughing.) No, of course not. 

Franklin. 
Let me state further, that it would be of great 
advantage to us to get Mrs. Melton jealous of this 
woman, Zoharita, in order that she may begin to 
complain of her to her bosom friends. This would 
give our proposed publication on the subject a true 
light, and the publication would in turn fan her 
jealousy. The sensation would be tremendous, and 
Melton and this woman would soon be subject to 
public resentment. There can be no doubt but this 
Avould greatly affect the issue and spell defeat for 
Melton. 

Aldrich. 
Certainly! I am going to take the case in my 
own hands and see to it that it is done according to 



ZOHARITA 19 



your suggestion. The first move is to get some- 
thing published. Let us proceed to see Editor 
Inglehart and have him set the wheels moving. 

Franklin. 
As you say. 

Aldrich. 
(Puts some cigars into his pocket,) That 
damned general was no fool. (They both go out 
to the right, with Franklin leading, while Aldrich 
continues.) I think we have solved the problem, 
by Jove ! — 



ACT I. 

Scene II. 



The next day. A room in Earl Melton's house. One 
door to adjoining rooms, on the right, and one door on 
the left. The main entrance is in the back, to the left. 
To the right of the entrance is a large window with view 
of high ground with trees, rising in the background. The 
room is richly furnished. 

(Mrs. Melton sits looking at some photographs. 
Grace enters with a vase of flowers which she 
places on a table.) 



20 ZOHARITA 



Grace. 

What pictures are those? 

Mrs. Melton. 

I am looking for the picture of Baron Hunt- 
ington. 

Grace. 

Oh, to be a Baroness would be great though. I 
wish I had luck like that. 

Mrs. Melton. 

My dear Grace, I have been thinking the same, 
and that's why I am looking for the picture of 
Baron Huntington. 

Grace. 

Ha-ha-ha, you do not mean that 1 should be- 
come the wife of that old Englishman, I hope? 

Mrs. Melton. 

Don't mind the age. He is a wealthy Baron 
and is moving in royal circles. Think of that. 

Grace. 

Oh, mother, how absurd even to think that a 
young girl would marry an old thing like that. 

Mrs. Melton. 
But, suppose you could become a baroness, 
with a castle and royal honors, even if it were as 



ZOHARITA 21 



the wife of Baron Huntington. Wouldn't that be 
great ? 

Grace. 

(Dancing.) Air-castle, air-castle, air-castle, 
air-castle. 

(As Grace dances Melton enters.) 

Melton. 
What are you doing, you two. Building air- 
castles, what? 

Grace. 

Just think, mother wants me to marry an old 
skinny baron and a castle. (Laughs.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

Grace, what an awful expression you use. 

Melton. 

(Laughing.) There isn't an old man of any 
title who can get my little girl. (Folds her in his 
arms.) No, no, my little girl is not for sale. 
Neither does Mother mean that. (To Mrs. Mel- 
ton.) Do you, dear? 

Mrs. Melton. 
Oh, you know I wish to make Grace happy. 

Grace. 

Yes, think of it. I be happy with an old baron. 
( They all laugh, and Grace departs. ) 



22 ZOHARITA 



Melton. 
Well, Lillith, the campaign is growing hotter 
every day. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Please, don't press your reform ideas too 
strongly on the people. Your effort will be of no 
avail. 

Melton. 
(Seriously.) The people suffer under their 
burden, and it is part of my work to show them 
how relief may be gained. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Anxiously.) But Earl, you worry me! Be- 
ing a candidate for Congress, and right in the heat 
of the campaign, you must be careful. 

Melton. 

(Takes both her hands in his.) My life work 
is to help the people to a higher understanding and 
a better life for soul and body. To do the right 
thing and the most needed thing is my politics and 
my duty. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Withdraws her hands.) You are oi¥ entirely. 
Whether it be good or bad, this is out of place 
just now. Postpone it until a future date. Your 



ZOHARITA 23 



enemies will take note of whatever you say or do, 
and make use of all utterances, which may be 
misconstrued. Think of the election ! 

Melton. 
I think of all that is involved in my struggle, 
and I wish you would sacrifice, if need be, some 
cherished dream in order to make life worth living 
for others. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Emphatically.) I will sacrifice no happiness; 
and I will not give up one single cherished dream 
for the sake of your fanatical reform-work. 

Melton. 

Oh, Lillith, don't oppose me like this. I need 
your good will and your kindest thoughts. Be 
with me instead of against me, and you will be 
happy yourself by working for the good of others. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Indignant.) I never mixed with the common 
people and I never will do it. Your reform work 
is becoming too offensive, and I hate it. Every- 
thing you declare to be false and crooked, and you 
criticise even our religion. You have changed so 
much of late that I fear something strange has 
possessed you. 



24 ZOHARITA 

Melton. 
So it has. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Frightened.) Do you mean it? 

Melton. 

I have changed gradually into another Earl 
than the one you have known. That is, I have been 
born anew. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Pacified.) Oh, but that can't hurt anybody. 

Melton. 

If I have become a reborn Christian, I am, as a 
politician, a reborn politician also. It is held that 
religion and politics are essentially two different 
things ; but the fact has been overlooked that man 
has only one moral principle, and that politics as 
well as religion originate within man and must 
therefore be identical in spirit and principle. Thus, 
what I am as a politician, I am as a Christian. 
That's the law. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Well, then be a moderate Christian. A con- 
servative one that can be a practical politician also. 
Whatever you do, don't be so extraordinarily good 



ZOHARITA 25 



that you endanger our honor and position in so- 
ciety. 

Melton. 
What would you say if a messenger of God 
came and entrusted me with a mission essentially 
contrary to your wishes? 

Mrs. Melton. 
Don't ask me ! I can't consider this question 
at all. 

Melton. 
And yet I have responded to such a call. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Surprised.) You worry me! Who has called 
you and changed you so completely? 

Melton. 

None else but Zoharita, of whom you have read 
in the newspapers. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Staring at him for a brief moment as if 
stunned.) Zoharita? For goodness sake! Have 
you responded to the call of that strange woman — 
(Sinks down into a chair weeping.) I could un- 
derstand that another woman had come between 
us. (She bends forward sobbing.) 



26 ZOHARITA 



Melton. 

(Strokes her hair pacifyingly.) Zoharita is 
not parting you and me in the way you seem to 
think. She came and called me from among the 
dead, and that's why I now must go to work as one 
of the living. ( With an inspired look.) The 
world is new to me now, and I know the purpose 
of creation ! The whole of life has become to me 
a revelation in which I can read wonders, unknown 
and unknowable to the dead ! 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Rises, wiping her face.) You are misled, 
Earl ! She must have thrown over you a magic 
spell that has reversed everything before your 
senses. 

Melton. 

Not quite so, Lillith. Zoharita is a holy being 
and possesses the same magic power as did the 
ancient prophets. Her whole ambition is to en- 
lighten people spiritually and to improve social 
conditions. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Angrily.) I don't care! I denounce her! 
There shall be no peace for her between you and 
me. 



ZOHARITA 27 



Melton. 

Zoharita has not come to harm you, but to 
bless you. And no one can come between you 
and me if you only will accept the spirit of regen- 
eration and work with me for the uplift of the 
world. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Bitterly.) As I have said, I hate all this! 
What have we to do with other people's worry? 
What have we to do with the social conditions of 
the future? You look out for our interests, and 
let others take care of themselves. 

Melton. 
( With emphasis. ) Oh, wake up, Lillith ! A 
man's duty and responsibility are proportional to 
his ability and understanding. Therefore, the 
claim against me would rise mountain high if I 
resisted my calling. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With changed attitude, pleading.) No, no, 
no! Throw off this spell of strange ideas. It 
would be unbearable for me if our friends should 
begin to sneer at you and the newspapers to ridi- 
cule you. Oh, try do be your former self again ! 

Melton. 
My old self ? Never again ! 



28 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton. 

( With outstretched arms. ) You must ! 1 
can't bear to listen to all this. Think of our own 
welfare and forget Zoharita. 

Melton. 

She is a goddess incarnated in flesh. This you 
can't understand as yet, but it will all become plain 
to you some day. 

Mrs. Melton. 

I don't care what she is or who she is. (Stamps 
her foot.) Away with her ! 

Melton. 
Zoharita is the new light of our land. It is 
she who gave me the message from God to call 
upon all mankind to unite into a federation for 
everlasting peace. She speaks about a united 
world and an international government for all na- 
tions. (He is going out to the left.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Following.) You are entirely bewitched. 
(After a brief moment Pastor Stevenson and 
Grace Melton enter through the main entrance.) 

Grace. 

Please be seated, Pastor Stevenson, and I will 
look for Father. (She goes out to the left.) 



ZOHARITA 29 



Stevenson. 
{By himself, looking around.) What a strange 
thing after all that great men become infidels — 

Melton. 
{Enter from the left.) How do you do, Pas- 
tor Stevenson? 

Stevenson. 

{Shaking hands with Melton.) How do you 
do, Mr. Melton. I was fortunate in finding you 
at home. 

Melton. 
Well, what can I do for you? 

Stevenson. 

By the way, you will recall I approached you a 
month ago for some aid for our new Church. That 
is, in the form of a voluntary donation. We need 
in all about a hundred thousand dollars, besides 
what we expect to get for the old one. The wealthi- 
est members have already, with a few exceptions, 
given their share. Mr. Aldrich, the financial head 
of the Church, has given a beautiful lot, valued at 
twenty thousand dollars. Mrs. Lenox has given 
five thousand. Others have pledged themselves 
for sums of fifty to a thousand dollars each, and 
the fund is growing rapidly. Soon we shall begin 



30 ZOHARITA 



to lay the foundation, and before long the new 
church will be in the course of construction. That 
is, if we are able to raise enough money. If you 
too, would now help the grand work along with a 
few thousand dollars, you would stand high in the 
sight of the Lord. 

Melton. 

And you will recall likewise that I asked you 
to start a crusade against the hypocrites of the 
church. What about that? 

Stevenson. 
(Patting him on the shoulder.) Dear brother 
Melton, let us not discuss that matter at this time. 

Melton. 
We may agree to that. Pastor Stevenson, and 
as you well know I am much interested in honest 
religion and in the spiritual as well as the physical 
welfare of the people. 

Stevenson. 
I know it. Long have I admired your lucid 
mind and noble character ; and I am happy that 
you are a member of my church. 

Melton. 

Oh, leave that out. But let me say with re- 
spect to the doctrine of the Church that there are 



ZOHARITA _31 

things I would like to have some light upon, espe- 
cially if you expect me to contribute thousands of 
dollars to its support. 

Stevenson. 
Very well, Mr. Melton. Ask questions. I 
shall only be too glad to try to make matters clear 
to you. 

Melton. 
That will please me very much. According to 
the doctrine of the Church, Jesus had to be killed 
in order to save mankind. Is that it ? 

Stevenson. 
(Astonished.) Killed! Had to be killed? 

Melton. 
Yes, in plain words. Or wasn't he to die to 
save mankind? 

Stevenson. 

That's one of the fundamental facts of the 
church, Mr. Melton. 

Melton. 

And this was part of the plan of God, of 
course? (Points to a chair.) Take a seat. 

Stevenson. 
It couldn't be otherwise. (They both sit down.) 



32 ZOHARITA 



Melton. 

x\ccording to this, the Jews would have upset 
and defeated the plan of the Almighty God by 
accepting the teachings of Jesus, as they then would 
not have killed him. This being the case, why did 
Jesus preach love and justice and thus oppose 
God's purpose respecting salvation of the human 
race? 

Stevenson. 

{As if stunned.) Well — 

Melton. 

Well, what about it? 

Stevenson. 

(Glancing away.) Your question is interest^ 
ing, although it has much in common with similar 
questions by men who have not studied the scrip- 
tures. But as long as many others might like to 
have light upon this matter, I shall reserve my an- 
swer, at this time, and give it in my sermon next 
Sunday, if that is satisfactory. 

Melton. 
That will do, if you so wish. 

Stevenson. 

(Straightens himself.) But let me ask you 
something. As you know, the large cities are so 



ZOHARITA 33 



infested with vice and criminals that the police and 
the bulwark of the law are unable to check the 
tide of evil. The churches do their utmost, and so 
do the Salvation Army and the City Mission, in 
order to make the word of God heard and obeyed, 
but the evil is worse than ever, I wish to know, 
therefore, if you have any remedy to propose 
against this flood of sin, that feeds on the very 
marrow of the nation. 

Melton. 
Yes, I may have some serviceable suggestions 
to offer in this matter. 

Stevenson. 
(Smiling.) I am glad to hear it. 

Melton. 

Well, but I am surprised at you, Pastor Stev- 
enson. 

Stevenson. 
(Surprised.) Why so, my friend? 

Melton. 
Because you are blind to facts. 

Stevenson. 
Why, you must be joking. 



34 ZOHARITA 



Melton. 
Not at all. 

Stevenson. 
But, Mr. Melton, you surprise me. 

Melton. 
I fear there are more surprises in store for you. 

Stevenson. 
(Rises hastily.) What are you aiming at? 

Melton. 

(Rises and speaks with increasing force.) I 
am astonished at your failure to realize, that your 
assurance to criminals, as well as to people in gen- 
eral, that some one has paid for their sin, is an as- 
surance in like manner to all who contemplate evil 
deeds, that no sin can hinder them from spiritual 
happiness. In that way, and through such teach- 
ing, you encourage falsehood and hypocracy, and 
promote crime and vice. 

Stevenson. 
(Overcome.) Do you really mean all this? 

Melton. 
Every word of it! When a man loses sight of 
spiritual responsibility and the value of virtue, he 
becomes subject to the forces of darkness both 



ZOHARITA 35 



from within and from without. The chief cause 
of the "flood of sin" you complain of, Pastor Stev- 
enson, is this, that the church has done away with 
spiritual responsibility and thereby nullified all 
moral teachings. 

Stevenson. 
(Wiping his brow.) God help us. 

Melton. 

It is expedient for the sake of the public good 
that you be told the truth plainly. Yet, I don't 
blame you alone. I censure all intelligent men of 
influence for being silent as to this systematical 
corruption of the people in the name of God and 
religion. What's the use of prattling about pro- 
moting knowledge as an uplifting power of the 
race as long as we maintain a misleading doctrine 
of ethics that counteracts and paralyzes reason? 

Stevenson. 
But you are mistaken ! I have always main- 
tained that all men have to make account for their 
sins. 

Melton. 

Account or no account, what's the difference as 
long as another is held for the debt ? It is an easy 
matter to run up a big debt and to make account 
when some one else pays the bill. Therefore, shame 



36 ZOHARITA 



on you, Pastor Stevenson, who pretend to be so 
exceedingly reverent before God, but care little for 
the truth or falsity of what you preach in His Holy 
name ! Shame on you and all who misguide people 
knowingly ! 

Stevenson. 

(Excited.) Least did I expect this of you. 
The denizens of the underworld don't believe in 
anything: and, as I said, the religious workers of 
all faiths alike are powerless among them. 

Melton. 

(Points his finger.) And yet none of you ever 
went a step out of your way to correct those who 
are responsible for the underworld conditions of 
our cities. The successful crooks, who send scores 
of victims to the underworld, and build fortunes 
on their ruins, you praise as fortunate in the grace 
of God, while they, in return for praise, give alms to 
the poor. If you want to save men, Pastor Steven- 
son, try to remove the danger to men. 

Stevenson. 
(After a brief silence, facing Melton.) I am 
sorry, very sorry — 

Melton. 
For me, of course. 



ZOHARITA Zl 



Stevenson. 
{Bowing and goes.) Yes, for you. 

Melton. 

{By himself.) It is a great, great pity — 
{Mrs. Melton and Grace enter from the left.) 

Grace. 
{As they enter.) Has Pastor Stevenson already 
gone? 

Melton. 
Yes, he is busy raising money for the new 
church. 

Mrs. Melton. 

I hope you didn't say anything that might be 
embarrassing to us. 

Melton. 
No, not a word. ( He goes out to the left.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
{As he goes.) Oh, that's good. 

Grace. 

{Looking into a mirror.) My complexion is 
very good, don't you think so, mother ? 

Mrs. Melton. 
You are the most beautiful girl in the city. 



38 ZOHARITA 



Grace. 
Thanks to my destiny! 

Mrs. Melton. 
And then, all the praise the newspapers give 
you. 

Grace. 

It is fortunate for me that I have followed 
strictly the instructions of the beauty lecturer. 
Just think of all the water I have drank. A gal- 
lon a day, and at times even more. And then all 
the exercise I take. One has to become beautiful 
by living so scientifically. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Yet it may not be well to drink that much water 
continually, as it may tend to make you fleshy. 

Grace. 

(With a worried look.) Mercy! Do you 
think so? Why have you not suggested that be- 
fore? (Petulantly.) Why have you been so neg- 
lectful as not to warn me before? 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Consolingly.) You are all right, my darling. 
By the way, I have just read in the Modiste today 
that tango trousers and hoop skirts will be in style 
this coming season. 



ZOHARITA 39 



Grace. 
{Laughing.) Oh, ye gods! If I should meet 
you on the street in such a ludicrous costume, I 
would laugh myself sick. (The door bell rings, and 
Grace goes out to the left. The maid announces 
John Aldrich.) 



Mrs. Melton. 
{Surprised.) Aldrich here? 



The Maid. 



Yes, Ma'am. 



Mrs. Melton. 

Show him in. {The maid goes out, and Aldrich 
enters.) 

Aldrich. 

How do you do, Mrs. Melton. 

Mrs. Melton, 

{Smiling.) How do you do, Mr. Aldrich. I 
haven't seen you for ever so long. I suppose you 
are busy with politics nowadays, like many others. 

Aldrich. 

I am always busy, but not in politics ; for as 
you know, I am not a politician. I leave that to the 
proper men. {Looks around.) Is Mr. Melton at 
home ? 



40 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton. 

Not just at present. Take a seat. 
{They both sit down.) 

Aldrich. 

(Leans back in the chair and crosses his legs. 
He speaks cautiously and now and then with a 
twinkle in his eye.) As you know, Mrs. Melton, 
politicians are all reformers, or think they are, and 
thus you see I have ample reason to keep off the 
grass. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Yet I shouldn't think you would be disinter- 
ested any more now than in former days — 

Aldrich. 

{Reverses the crossing of his legs.) Well, not 
exactly disinterested either. I am a strong patriot 
and don't like to see things go down hill politically. 
Still, I take no active part in politics in the way 
of opposing or supporting certain candidates. My 
politics consists merely in giving suggestions, when 
I see an opportunity to benefit the people as a 
whole. 

Mrs. Melton. 

That's ideal politics, Mr. Aldrich. 



ZOHARITA 41 

Aldrich. 

That's what I think, Mrs. Melton, not only in 
a strenuous campaign like this, but always. The 
welfare of the people, at all times, rests with a few 
powerful men, and, consequently, we have a fight 
on hand always. Power rules, you know. The 
great men who always are themselves the supreme 
law of the land, take the initiative and go accord- 
ing to their own mind. As you see, we are to the 
people, what parents are to their children. 

Mrs. Melton. 

You remind me of some of Mr. Melton's say- 
ings. He, too, talks about taking the initiative. 
The people will follow him, he says. He is taken 
up with so many new ideas. 

Aldrich. 

I know it. Mr. Melton, although a great man, 
has become much unlike himself lately. 

Mrs. Melton. 
That's true. {She rises.) 

Aldrich. 

(Rises.) Although public opinion isn't of much 
account, we have to figure on it during political 
campaigns. But, Mr. Melton has turned his back 
upon the practical side of life. To tell the truth; 



42 ZOHARITA 



I never heard of a political candidate setting forth 
ideas revolutionary to all order of things, as he 
does. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Sighing.) That's what I tell him every day. 

Aldrich. 

I don't wish him defeated or anything of that 

sort ; but we don't need any new religion or any 

new politics just now, as we are well supplied with 

stuff of that kind. You pardon my views, I hope. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Certainly. I wish you would speak to him 
with regard to these matters, for he will not listen 
to me any more. 

Aldrich. 
I understand the situation fully, and for that 
reason I have come to see you about something 
special. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Interested.) Something special — What can 
it be? 

Aldrich. 
(Looks about.) It is a delicate matter, and I 
wish you would promise not to tell that I have 
called your attention to it. 



ZOHARITA 43 



Mrs. Melton. 
I promise. 

Aldrich. 

There is a mysterious woman in the city, known 
by the name of Zoharita, and it is generally known 
that she has been seeking Mr. Melton's company 
for some time, ostensibly for political purposes, 
but for the very reason that Melton seems to be 
taken with her. They are frequently seen to- 
gether. They visit the poor quarters together, in- 
spect mills and factories — defying public opinion. 
It is said that Melton worships the very ground 
this woman walks on. All this is very bad, indeed, 
and I am sorry for your sake. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(With emotion.) Oh, can this be true? Can it 
be possible — 

Aldrich. 

It is only too true. People know it all over the 
city and express sympathy for you, Mrs. Melton. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Walks about and wrings her hands.) Oh 
God! 

Aldrich. 
(Takes a newspaper out of his pocket.) There 



44 ZOHARITA 



is quite a piece about the scandal in the Press today. 
{Hands her the paper.) You may read it yourself 
and be convinced. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Grasps wildly for the paper and throws it on 
the floor.) Published in the paper too? Yes, yes; 
I know, I feel, I understand. I have known it and 
felt it and understood it of late! Oh, God, that it 
should come to this, that I should live to be in- 
formed of Melton's unfaithfulness to me, his wife ! 
{She throws herself into a chair and weeps bit- 
terly. ) 

Aldrich. 

{Glances around, listening, and touches her 
carefully.) Don't feel so badly, Mrs. Melton. I 
am in hearty sympathy with you ; and I am at your 
service at any time you feel like calling on me. 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Between sobs.) Oh, that Earl could so for- 
get himself ! And Grace, and me — He has 
ruined our prospects, our home and our happiness. 

Aldrich. 
Be strong, and face the music ! I will help you ! 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Wiping her face and springs up, clenching her 



ZOHARITA 45 



hands.) Oh, I hate her! I hate them both! And 
to think that the newspapers have gotten hold of 

it . 

Aldrich. 
Yes, that's the worst of it, and my sympathy 
for you actuated me in coming to see you in spite 
of seeming impropriety; for it is awfully disgust- 
ing that Mr. Melton has turned against even his own 
wife. To speak the truth, I think it isn't more than 
right that he should be publicly denounced. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(In grief.) Yes, but think of his campaign! 

Aldrich. 
He has ruined his own cause. It is absolutely 
out of the question for him to be elected in the face 
of this revelation. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Oh, don't say that. He musn't be defeated. 

Aldrich. 

Well, but it is safe to say that he will have to 
make a wonderful change for the better if he ex- 
pects to regain the people's confidence, before 
the election. Then, again, it depends upon that 
crafty woman with whom he is keeping company. 
(With a disdainful grin.) Think of that woman, 



46 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton ! Think of that woman who has the 
heart to put herself between wife and husband. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Vehemently.) I shall assail that woman and 
drive her out of the city. I hate her so that I could 
burn her alive! 

Aldrich. 

You are right, Mrs. Melton, and I admire your 
attitude and feeling. (Looks at his watch.) But 
I must be going. Give no explanation. That paper 
speaks for itself. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Be sure of that, Mr. Aldrich. 

Aldrich. 

Then remember to call on me should you need 
my help in your private trouble. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Thanks, many thanks. (Aldrich bows and de- 
parts.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Looks about reflectingly, and after a brief 
moment she talks passionately.) This is the limit! 
This is awful ! To think that another woman should 
come between Earl and me ! Heavens, how could 



ZOHARITA 47 



I have thought this in former days? {She picks 
up the paper and reads.) 

Grace. 
{Enters excited.) Mother! Just think of it, 
Mrs. Lenox's dog party is called off! Her little 
terrier died yesterday. 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Surprised and concealing her emotion.) Oh, 
for heaven's sake! 

Grace. 

Yes, and now it will be a fine dog funeral in- 
stead. Mrs. Lenox told me that Mrs. Aldrich and 
the bankers' wives were all to be invited. And, of 
course, you and I were to be there, she said. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Of course. 

Grace. 

The funeral is to cost thousands of dollars, and 
a minister is going to give a funeral oration. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Poor Mrs. Lenox! How badly she must feel. 
I ought to go and see her at once. 

Grace. 
Yes, you ought to, mother, I think. {Looks 



48 ZOHARITA 



curiously at her mother.) What's the matter? Is 
anything wrong? 

Mrs. Melton. 

No, certainly not. I am just feeling badly for 
Mrs. Lenox that she lost her dog. It is simply 
wonderful how a dog gets around one's heart, and 
I can so easily sympathize with her. 

(The door in the back opens slowly and Zoha- 
rita enters in a long dark cloak with a hood over 
her head. She walks up to Mrs. Melton and Grace, 
who both look at her with surprise.) 

ZOHARITA. 

Peace be with you. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Who are you? 

ZOHARITA. 

An echo from the past. 

Mrs. Melton. 
From the past? 

Zoharita. 

Ay, from the past, entering into the present, 
pointing into the future. 



ZOHARITA 49 



Mrs. Melton. 
(Mystified.) Pointing into the future? What 
is your name, stranger? 

ZOHARITA. 

You may call me Zoharita. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Surprised.) For heaven's sake! (Looks her 
up and down.) So you are the one — 

Grace. 
Mother, what's the matter? 

Zoharita. 
(To Mrs. Melton.) Fear me not. I love you 
and wish to help you. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With dignity.) Your so-called love and help 
are uncalled for here ! 

Grace. 
(Rebukingly.) Mother, please, how can you 
talk like that to one with such a face and such a 
sweet voice. (To Zoharita.) I know that you 
must be good. Didn't you just say that you could 
look into the future? 

Mrs. Melton. 
( Sternly. ) Grace — 



50 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

{To Grace.) Are you much interested in 
knowing about the future? 

Grace. 

Of course I am. {With a confident smile she 
reaches out her hand to Zoharita.) Can you read 
my palm? Then here it is. 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Haughtily.) I wish you would desist from 
inquiring of her. 

Zoharita. 
{With a kind smile to Mrs. Melton, while she 
takes the hand of Grace.) It is not strange that 
she takes me for a fortune teller, as she has con- 
cluded from my remarks. 

Grace. 

Yes, indeed, and we are all so anxious to know 
about the future. 

Zoharita. 

Your future life depends upon your past and 
present lives. 

Grace. 
How can you talk about a plurality of lives for 



ZOHARITA _51 

one and the same person? I don't understand 
you — 

ZOHARITA. 

No, you don't understand me now, but the day 
is fast coming when you will both see and under- 
stand. As to the future, you are building it hour 
by hour. 

Grace. 
{Eagerly.) Oh, I wish I could build a Baron- 
ess castle then. Oh, I wish, I wish — 

ZOHARITA. 

A beautiful spiritual home on a solid founda- 
tion. Dear child, you have tuned your soul to this 
world and remain unconscious of the real life. 
Your finer senses are yet slumbering in the depth 
of your being. They are powers which some day 
will open the windows of your soul. Then you 
will realize what it means to be in union with those 
who have attained spiritual illumination. There- 
fore, I beg of you to sink yourself into the shrine 
of your inner being, that you may rise above the 
ramble of the multitude, up to the height of im- 
mortality. 

Grace. 
(Awed.) How strangely you talk. This is all 
new to me. Which are my slumbering powers ? 



52 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton. 

{Who has moved restlessly about and looked 
from one thing to another.) Don't ask questions, 
Grace ! 

{Grace shakes her head impatiently to her 
mother.) 

ZOHARITA. 

{Turns to Mrs. Melton and throws off her 
cloak and hood and stands radiantly beautiful in a 
white garment, with a circlet of glittering jewels 
around her head, having a six-pointed star in the 
center.) 

Also within your worldly make-up is hidden 
the jewel of immortality. It has been covered up 
by the dust of the world, but I will help you to un- 
cover it and make it sparkle. 

Grace. 

{Looking at Zoharita with awe.) Oh gracious! 

Mrs. Melton. 

{To Zoharita with a surprised look.) Angel or 
witch, I want you to leave me alone ! You have 
made unhappiness enough for me already. 

Zoharita. 
Not so, dear soul, not so. 



ZOHARITA 53 



Grace. 

(Excited.) Mother! Please don't — {Looking 
at Zoharita.) She is as lovely as an angel. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With anger.) Or a demon — 

Zoharita. 
(Raising her hand.) Hush, let not your tongue 
say what you will regret. I have come to make 
light in dark places and to bring happiness into 
your home. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Same attitude.) There was no unhappiness 
in my home before you came to our city. You have 
robbed me of my husband's love and overpowered 
him with your witchery. (Pointing at her, sneer- 
ingly.) You come with light? Ah, and with 
happiness into my home? Yes, for whom? 

Zoharita. 
For you, dear soul. The time is near that you 
shall see light and know happiness. 

Melton. 

(Enters and observes happily the presence of 
Zoharita.) Zoharita! (Reaches her his hand.) 
At last! 



54 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

Ay, at last. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Scornfully.) Yes, think of it, she even has 
the audacity to come right into my home — 

Grace. 

(Who has been looking uneasily from one to 
another.) Mother, what in the world is the mat- 
ter? 

Melton. 
I am ashamed of you, Lillith. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Retorting.) And so am I of you. 

ZOHARITA. 

(To Mrs. Melton.) Dear sister, listen! Think 
not I have come to do you harm. Inasmuch as 
your husband is a true man and a politician who 
understands how to frame just laws, I have ap- 
pealed to him in behalf of the misguided and over- 
burdened people, that he shall be their spokesman 
and leader. To this he has consented, and the eyes 
of thousands will be looking to him with great 
hope. Multitudes shall gain freedom and become 
happy through his labor. 



ZOHARITA 55 



Mrs. Melton. 
(Scornfully.) Well, well, just think of it! 
You, a woman from heathen Asia, come to advise 
us, enlightened people of the Western World, in 
politics. It is simply foolish of my husband to 
deign to listen to you. 

Grace. 
Mother, you are rude. 

ZOHARITA. 

(To Mrs. Melton.) Be it the case that we 
Eastern people are so unworthy of your attention, 
I deplore it grievously. Yet, how comes it that 
you have received your spiritual light as well as 
the science of mathematics from "heathen Asia"? 
Or are your foremost scholars in error when declar- 
ing that even your fundamental law has come from 
that great land of the East? 

Grace. 

(To the mother.) She knows more than you. 
Mother. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(To Grace vehemently.) Are you too be- 
witched ? 

Grace. 
(Clinging to her mother.) Mother dear, I 
didn't mean to hurt you, but you mistreat this lady. 



56 ZOHARITA 



Melton. 
Oh, dear Lillith, be kind and rational. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Only on this condition, that you sever your con- 
nection with that woman. 

ZOHARITA. 

(Turning to Melton.) Work then, for the 
coming of the kingdom of God to all men, and 
servants from above and from below shall gather 
around you in the ineffable name and circumvent 
the plans of your enemies and help you to reach 
the height where shines the Light. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(In anxiety.) No, no. Earl! God forbid! 
What do these veiled expressions mean ? Talk 
plainly, don't work for any new and great reform 
during the campaign. So great a risk you can't 
afiford . 

Melton. 

I am out to risk and to battle for you and my- 
self, and for all who are in need of help ; and the 
greater the risk the greater the victory. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(In despair.) And the greater the risk the 



ZOHARITA 57 



greater the defeat! Oh, think of our home and 
honor ! 

ZOHARITA. 

{To Melton.) Nothing of all that you risk 
for the holy cause shall you lose. Though receding 
for a time it must return eventually, in one form or 
another, singing to you the salutation of victory. 

Mrs. Melton. 
No, no ; too great a risk ! 

ZOHARITA. 

{Bows and makes the sign of the cross.) Have 
faith in me and in the one who sent me. {She 
takes her cloak on her arm and goes, and Melton 
follows her.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

Don't follow that woman, Earl ! ( Hastens 
after them.) 

Grace. 

{Rushing after.) Mother — 



58 ZOHARITA 



ACT II. 

Scene I. 

Aldrich's office. Aldrich sits at his desk. Great noise 
and clamoring of people outside. An office clerk comes 
rushing in. 

The Clerk. 
A demonstration of working men ! They seem 
to be desperate. 

Aldrich. 

(Harshly.) Let them clamor! They are all 
paid off, and I owe them nothing. 

(The clamoring is growing more intense, and 
the name of John Aldrich is called.) 

The Clerk. 
They want to see you, sir. 

Aldrich. 
Let them howl and yell ! Ha-ha-ha ! Let those 
cursed dogs howl and yell, I say ! And I give them 
just as long as I please to stay, before I have the 
police force or a squad of gunmen on the scene. 



ZOHARITA 59 



(The name of Aldrich is again called from the 
outside, followed by another loud clamor.) 

Aldrich. 

(Springs up, gesticulating with glee.) It does 
me good to hear those everlasting kickers come to 
time! This will fix them. Now they realize that 
John Aldrich is the man who has fed them and 
their families. Now their stomachs talk! 

(A stone is thrown through the window, just 
passing Aldrich, with pieces of glass flying. Aid- 
rich jumps to one side and the clerk is frightened. 
Jeering and yells outside.) 

Aldrich. 
(To the clerk.) Call the police ! Quick! (The 
clerk rushes out the back door, and Aldrich opens 
the door to the right.) What's the matter with 
you, men ! Are you all turning crazy ? 

A Voice. 

(Outside.) We demand of you to open your 
shops and factories at once ! 

Aldrich. 
(Standing at the door with raised fist.) You 
demand me! You command me! Whose are the 
shops and the factories? And whose are the mills 
and mines? 



60 ZOHARITA 



A Voice. 

The people's. 

Aldrich. 
If so, then go to the people with your demand! 

A Woman's Voice. 
You better look out, Aldrich ! If you don't let 
us go back to work we will fix you. 

Aldrich. 

You clear away from here at once, all of you, 
or I will fix you. 

Another Woman's Voice. 
Please, Aldrich, reopen the factories and put us 
back to work. For God's sake, don't be so cruel ! 

A Man's Voice. 
What does he care? We have worked and 
struggled till we are ready for the bone-yard and 
this is his thanks for our faithful service. But by 
God, Mr. Aldrich, your day will come! You may 
starve us, or you may turn on us your gun-men, 
but we will stand for no more Ludlow or Calumet 
massacres. 

AXDRICH. 

Shut up, you wind-mill ! If some of your kind 
have been massacred, as you say, evidence shows 



ZOHARITA 61 



that there are plenty of you left, thank God; and 
even if fate should remove you all, I shall shed no 
tears ! 

The Same Voice. 

If you are determined, we are. And when a 
few million of us take up arms, if need be, we shall 
settle the dispute to suit ourselves. 

A WoMAN^s Voice. 
All we ask is work and a living wage. 

Aldrich. 

( With raised fist. ) Go to the blazes for your liv- 
ing wage ! You people were never satisfied and 
never will be, no matter how you are treated. Now 
take your medicine, you d . 

Franklin. 

(Comes rushing in and takes hold of Aldrich 
and flings him around and away from the door.) 
For God's sake, be careful, man! You must have 
lost your senses. You spoil it all ! 

Aldrich. 

(Surprised, and his face livid with rage.) Don't 
you interfere ! I am the master here ! 

Franklin. 

(Emphatically.) Surely, but calm down! We 
must have their votes. 



62 ZOHARITA 



(Clamor and noise outside.) 

Voices. 
There come the gun-men ! There come the 
poHce ! 

Another Voice. 

Now to jail or be shot because we want our 
work back. 

Aldrich. 

(In a changed attitude.) You talk to them 
then. I give you authority to say what you like. 

Franklin. 

(Steps hastily to the door, with raised hand.) 
Attention ! Police, please don't molest these people ! 
They are all my friends and I intend to protect 
them. 

(Aldrich laughs scornfully.) 

A Voice. 

We were called here to disperse them or jail 
them. 

Another Voice. 
Or shoot us. 

A Third Voice. 
Or bum us. 
(General clamor.) 



ZOHARITA 63 



Aldrich. 
Listen to those slaves — 

Franklin. 

Attention, ladies and gentlemen ! It must have 
been a false alarm, and I shall see to it that you will 
be given free speech and protection. Believe me, 
all of you, that I have always been proud of the 
toilers of my country. Only a few generations ago 
nothing but buffalos and redskins roamed over this 
great continent, where now stand proud and mag- 
nificent cities ; where now stretch cultivated plains 
with happy homes of civilized men ; where sys- 
tems of railroads cross the country in all direc- 
tions ; where are built up the greatest commerce 
and the greatest industries under the heavens ; 
where gold glitters and petroleum flows, and every- 
thing is plentiful. I marvel at it all ! And when 
I ask myself who has brought all these things into 
existence, it appears as if every object becomes 
animated with life, and gives this singular answer: 
"The working people, the producers of all things." 
(Applause.) 

(Aldrich, who follows the speech attentively, 
smiles, grins, or snaps his fingers, according to his 
liking of Franklin's expressions.) 



64 ZOHARITA 



A Loud Voice. 
(Outside.) Can't you men understand that he 
is gunning for votes? 

Another Voice. 
Surely, he is a fox — 

A Third Voice. 
Give him a chance to speak ! 

A Fourth Voice. 
Yes, yes, fire off, Mr. FrankUn ! 

Franklin. 

It is said that Moses did a great thing, and 
might well have been mistaken for an American, 
when he reached forth his hand toward the Red 
Sea and parted the waters, but lo, you have done 
greater things than Moses ! (Applause, and Aid- 
rich laughs.) 

It is written that God promised to show mercy 
unto Sodom and Gommorah if there were ten 
righteous men therein. But if so, how much more 
mercy may He not be willing to show unto our 
land and our cities for your sake, who are more 
righteous than were the best men of Sodom, and 
numerous as the stars? I can face Heaven with 
cheerful face and with joy in my heart for your 
sake ! And I offer my service in your interests 



ZOHARITA 65 



because of your just stand, and because of your 
honesty, your sincerity and your ability. (Loud 
applause. ) 

A Voice. 
(Outside.) You must have had a revelation — 

Franklin. 

I am not a prophet that I am favored with rev- 
elations, but I know my people and have their wel- 
fare at heart. And when you vote for me on 
election day you shall make no mistake; for I in- 
tend to go to Congress as a spokesman for you 
and for all the workingmen and workingwomen. 

A Voice. 

What about John Aldrich? Are you going to 
put in a word for him too? 

Franklin. 
Certainly I will. Moreover, I will do so only 
because John Aldrich is your best friend, whether 
you believe it or not. And in order to put things 
right between you and him I regard it my painful 
duty to inform you of the sad fact, that he suffers 
from nervousness, brought about by hard work 
and business worry. He is now under the constant 
care of a specialist who has advised him to take a 
rest. I trust in your sympathy. (Applause, yells 
and hoofing, intermingled.) 



66 ZOHARITA 



Aldrich. 

(With a quick turn of his head toward Frank- 
lin.) You confounded liar — 

Franklin. 
(To the crowd outside.) I am authorized to 
assure you that the shops and factories will open 
with full force as soon as the election is over, per- 
mitting, in the meantime, oiling and painting and 
much needed repair. 

I will not dictate to you how you shall vote. Still, 
having the burden of the working people on my mind, 
it is only natural that I hope you will support me 
with your votes. But I need not worry about the 
outcome of the election. Our great industries and 
all the wonders of human achievements, which 
adorn our land, and upon which you have left your 
finger marks, testify to the wisdom of your mind 
as much as to the strength of your arms, and show 
that you have always known how to vote in the 
past. 

You always knew, in the past, how to insure 
firm business conditions and yourselves a job by 
sending men of business sagacity to our national 
congress as your representatives. What reason 
have I then to fear that you now will overlook this 
most potent element in our common welfare? 
You are the ones who will open the shops and 



ZOHARITA 67 



mills and factories by your own decision, or keep 
the industries closed down indefinitely. You are 
the people. You are the power behind all machin- 
ery. You are the masters of all situations. 

{He hows and turns from the door amidst ap- 
plause and yells.) 

Aldrich. 

(Grasps Franklin's hand happily.) You can 
certainly jumble together a dish of stew in a hurry. 

Franklin. 

(Takes him by the arm and leads him to the 
door.) Show yourself before the crowd and ack- 
nowledge my statements. Hurry! There must be 
thousands out there. 

Aldrich. 

(Hesitating, but goes to the door.) Men and 
women: (He pauses.) 

A Voice. 

(Outside.) You can see, he is all in. 

Another Voice. 
Shut up! 

Aldrich. 

Mr. Franklin has stated the truth. It is true, 
in the first place, that I need a rest because of my 



68 ZOHARITA 



health, but you need not let that worry you. It is 
true in the second place that you are the supreme 
power of the country. (Applause.) You will 
prove that on the election day. (Applause.) On the 
day following we will all go to work. (Great ap- 
plause, and Aldrich hows and turns from the door 
laughing. ) 

Franklin. 

(Shakes hands with Aldrich.) You did splen- 
didly, Mr. Aldrich ! ( They sit down laughing. ) 

Aldrich. 

You certainly mastered the situation. I was al- 
most losing my head over those confounded dough- 
nuts. 

Franklin. 

(Looks at his watch and rises.) I have an ap- 
pointment and must hasten. 

Aldrich. 
We have some pressing matters to discuss, and 
I wish you would return at once. 

Franklin. 

(Going out to the right.) Very well. 
(Editor Inglehart enters from the rear.) 

Inglehart. 
(To Aldrich, as he enters, bowing and smiling.) 



ZOHARITA 69 



I can assure you that our article about Melton and 
that woman has made a hit with the people. 

Aldrich. 
{Shakes hands with Inglehart.) I told you so. 
You are the man who can do things on paper. 

Inglehart. 

I am proud that you think so. In fact I be- 
lieve that I can prove my ability. 

Aldrich. 

And you may be sure I appreciate it most 
highly. 

Inglehart. 

Thank you, Mr. Aldrich. 

Aldrich. 

And if I can do anything for you in return, 
just say so. 

Inglehart. 

Yes indeed, Mr. Aldrich. A heavy payment is 
about due on my paper and I hope you will help me 
out in accordance with your former promise. 

Aldrich. 

{After some consideration.) I suppose I bet- 
ter stand by you, if you stand by me. 



70 ZOHARITA 



Inglehart. 

(Grasps Aldrich's hand.) I am glad to hear 
that, Mr. Aldrich. You can always rely on me. 

Aldrich. 
How is it, is your paper fully covered with in- 
surance? Take a seat. 

Inglehart. 

{Hesitating, and with an inquiring look.) Yes, 
rather too well. You will recall you have before 
warned me with respect to the insurance. {Sits 
down. ) 

Aldrich. 

I remember. It has been a matter of much con- 
cern to me that your paper may never be of in- 
fluence and importance enough to pay for itself. 
Of course I hope for the best. {He sits down.) 

Inglehart. 
By what reasoning have you come to this con- 
clusion, so entirely contrary to your former way 
of thinking? 

Aldrich. 
A business man's thoughts, Mr. Inglehart, are 
much like the wind ; at times they change from day 
to day. 

Inglehart. 
There is something in that, I suppose. 



ZOHARITA 71 



Aldrich. 

If it hadn't been my own building, I should ad- 
vise you, confidently, to put fire to the whole damn 
thing. {Lights a cigar.) 

Inglehart. 
What? I wouldn't dream of such a thing? 

Aldrich. 
Oh, well, one dreams very unexpectedly at 
times. (Carefully and with suppressed voice,) By 
the way, when I think of it, the building is well 
insured, if anything should happen. 

Inglehart. 
What do you mean? 

Aldrich. 

(Leans toward him.) You have a large fam- 
ily, and it would be bad for you if the paper 
shouldn't pay — and should you like to make a dras- 
tic move, why, suit yourself. There is a world of 
material from which to build, and men enough to 
do the work. So, I can't see where the wrong 
would come in, as the purpose is to protect home 
and family. 

Inglehart. 

(Pondering.) It is the motive that counts. 
That's true. 



72 ZOHARITA 



AUDRICH. 

Most certainly ; the highest law in the world is 
a man's duty to his family. But as I say, suit 
yourself. 

Inglehart. 

You mean in setting fire to the Press Building? 

Aldrich. 

(Carefully^ with a look around the room.) That 
may be a fitting interpretation, if you so like. 

Inglehart. 
But just think of it. 

Aldrich. 

Let me give you a little talk on the matter, that 
you may be able to see things straight. 

Inglehart. 

Yes, but remember I am a law-abiding citizen. 
Mr. Aldrich. 

Aldrich. 

Certainly you are, and that's why I have such 
confidence in you. Still, you might profit some by 
my experience. 

Inglehart. 
Most assuredly, Mr. Aldrich. 



ZOHARITA 73 



Aldrich. 

I have found the most practical way the most 
profitable in all matters. Of course, you will un- 
derstand, we must always respect the law, but being 
an editor you know that the laws are getting so 
numerous nowadays, that we must stand bowing, 
like Frenchmen, all the time in order to pay 
homage to them all, without knowing what to think 
or what to do that is not a crime. It has become 
the policy of the legislators that every one of them 
shall now and then make or cause to be made a new 
law in order to be spoken well of, that they may 
have a chance of being re-elected. Well, it is all a 
matter of business. What I mean to emphasize is 
the principle and motive of things. 

Inglehart. 
You are right, Mr. Aldrich. You are right. 

Aldrich. 

Well, as you say, it is the motive that counts. 

Inglehart. 
Exactly, Mr. Aldrich. 

Aldrich. 
And what don't we find in the medical profes- 
sion. Those learned men know who is insane and 
who is not, and this too we find to be a matter of 



74 ZOHARITA 



business ; for it so happens that a rich man never 
becomes insane unless he commits a crime. 

Inglehart. 
(Laughing.) Yes, that is a strange phenome- 
non, Mr. Aldrich. 

Aldrich. 
Well, suppose you set fire to the Press Building 
and are caught at it. I can get all the scientific ex- 
perts I desire to testify in court that you were in- 
sane. That is, if I pay the bill. We can't expect 
experts to render scientific opinions for a song. 

Inglehart. 
No, of course not. 

Aldrich. 
This is the point, Mr. Inglehart, that people, 
foremost in society, must train their conscience to 
be pliable and responsive to any need, whether it be 
in journalism, religion, politics, science or business. 
This is the only practical way in which one may 
command respect. 

Inglehart. 
You ought to have been an editor, Mr. Aldrich. 

Aldrich. 
Not necessarily. I have my mission in business. 



ZQHARITA 75 

It takes men with trained and practical consciences 
to stand as pillars of this great nation's welfare, 
which rests on able business men exclusively. 

Inglehart. 
What about us editors? Haven't we also 
something to do with the nation's welfare ? 

Aldrich. 
Indeed you have, Mr. Inglehart. You are the 
salt of the earth. (Pretends to be busy and looks 
at his watch.) Well, my time is precious. 

Inglehart. 
Then let us come to the point. (Cautiously, 
looking around.) 1 mean with regard to the fire — 

Aldrich. 

(Also cautiously.) Let it go until after the 
election, or until that time. In the meantime we 
can talk the matter over. If the building is to be 
destroyed, we must make a good job of it; for I 
intend to put up a modern and a much larger build- 
ing in place of it. 

Franklin. 

(Enters.) How do you do, gentlemen! (To 
Inglehart, who rises.) Well, Mr. Inglehart, that 
piece you put up about Melton and Zoharita was 



76 ZOHARITA 



simply excellent, and it did splendid work. All are 
down on Melton and lavish sympathy on Mrs. Mel- 
ton. The sensation spreads like a prairie fire. 

Inglehart. 
I am delighted ! 

Aldrich. 
(Laughing.) I knew Mr. Inglehart was the 
man who best understood how to write that story. 
(Franklin and Inglehart both sit down.) 

Franklin. 
But I have a new idea which, by speedy execu- 
tion might promote our cause very much. 

Aldrich. 
(Delighted.) Good! 

Franklin. 

Yes, we will make a move to have Melton ex- 
pelled from the church. This sensation, already 
published, gives us ample reason to insist upon this 
for the sake of the good name of the church, as 
well as for our own prestige and honor. 

Aldrich. 
(Snaps his fingers.) That idea is worth a 
treat, by George! 



ZOHARITA 11 



Inglehart. 
It will be a gold mine of newspaper material! 

The Clerk. 
(Enters.) A lady asks to see Mr. Aldrich. 

Aldrich. 
(With a look at the others.) Who in the 
devil — ? (To the clerk.) Show her in! 

(The clerk goes, and Zoharita enters. The men 
appear surprised and look interrogatively at one 
another. ) 

Zoharita. 
May peace be with you. 

Aldrich. 

(Rises.) How do you do, lady. (Points to a 
chair.) Please take a seat. 

(Zoharita bows, and both sit down.) 

Zoharita. 

It is of the most urgent need, Mr. Aldrich, to 
put your laboring people back to work without de- 
lay, as they are in a very distressed condition. 

Aldrich. 

(Leaning back in the chair.) I am sorry to 
disappoint you, lady, and you may save yourself 
the trouble of speaking about it, as my mind is de- 
cidedly settled regarding the matter. 



78 ZOHARITA 

ZOHARITA. 

What about your duty to the people? 

Aldrich. 

(With a side glance at Franklin.) My duty to 
the people? Well, in what respect do you find I 
am not doing my duty, lady? 

ZOHARITA. 

(Rises.) I just came from a trip through the 
factory district. I talked with hungry children and 
famished mothers and I visited the homes of many 
of them. Poor people ! Oh, that man of God's 
creation can so crush his brother! Oh, that selfish 
greed can be so cruel ! 

Aldrich. 

(Indignant.) Pooh! We need no preaching 
here, lady. I have heard enough faultfinding in 
my days, and I venture to say that it has given less 
consolation and food for the poor than have my 
greed and cruelty. Furthermore, I am in position 
to say that these brainless lobsters, you are bewail- 
ing, are treated as well as they deserve. 

ZOHARITA. 

These brothers and sisters of ours are suffering 
want, Mr. Aldrich. Their credit is cut oflP and they 
have no food. For the sake of all that is good. 



ZOHARITA 19 



please put them back to work for a just wage, and 
remove the misery you have placed them in. 

Aldrich. 

I ? Have I placed the people in misery ? Am I 
responsible for their situation? 

ZOHARITA. 

{Sternly, pointing at him.) Beware, Mr. Aid- 
rich ! You are your brother's keeper, and God 
holds you responsible. 

Aldrich. 

(Rises angrily.) I resent all this! My broth- 
er's keeper? I — 

ZOHARITA. 

Responsibility goes with power. And for all 
those whom you sway with your power you are re- 
sponsible before the great law which will call you 
to account. 

Aldrich. 

(Points to the door.) That's enough! There 
is the door — 

(Zoharita looks at him without moving.) 

Franklin. 

(Rises and points to the door likewise.) You 
are requested to leave — 



80 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

Nay ; it behooves you but ill to mistreat a wom- 
an. I shall leave your presence, but not at your 
command. 

Aldrich. 

(With rage.) Go, I say! 

ZOHARITA. ' 

(With a commanding look and emphasis, points 
her finger at Aldrich and as she continues speak- 
ing, Aldrich and Franklin show the influence of a 
compelling force, crouch and sink into their seats.) 
Cain says he is not his brother's keeper, but the 
answer rolls back to him from the eternal heights : 
"Lo, T gave all my children the beautiful earth 
with its mountains, hills and valleys, with its green 
fields, its golden grain, its fruits, its beasts and 
treasures ; but thou Cain hast robbed and mal- 
treated my children and made them thy slaves, and 
thou actest as if thou wert my householder. Woe 
unto thee ! The cries of my children have reached 
heaven, and I have decreed, that unless thou mak- 
est amends, thou shalt in turn suffer poverty in 
spirit, when thy present earth life is ended. Then 
shalt the cruelty thou hast practised upon my chil- 
dren be visited upon thee, and thou shalt cry in 
agony. Behold, my laws are Just! "An eye for 
an eye and a tooth for a tooth," is no idle saying. 



ZOHARITA 81 



{She pauses, with her gaze fixed upon them.) Re- 
pent, ye servants of the Prince of Edom! (She 
goes out to the right, while the men in astonishment 
follow her with their gaze.) 



ACT II. 

Scene II. 



Melton's house; the same room as in the first act. 
Grace stands with hat on, ready for a trip out. She 
looks into a mirror. On the table is a pitcher of water 
and a glass. An automobile chauffeur is blowing a signal 
outside and thereupon a telephone rings in the adjoining 
room, to the left. 

Grace. 

{To herself.) Nothing Hke water for the com- 
plexion. {She fills the glass and drinks, and looks 
again into the mirror.) Every drink has its effect. 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Enters from the left.) Mrs. Lenox is coming 
to the house. {The chauffeur is blowing again.) 
Your party is waiting for you. I think you better 
be going before Mrs. Lenox comes. 



82 ZOHARITA 



Grace. 

Yes, yes, just a minute. (She is adjusting her 
hat.) 

(Prince of Edom, elegantly attired, carrying a 
cane and wearing a silk hat, enters smiling and 
bowing.) 

Grace. 

(Surprised.) For goodness sake! 

Mrs. Melton. 
Who are you, who dare enter Hke this without 
ringing the door bell, I demand to know ! 

Prince of Edom. 

(Excessive in gestures and politeness, smiling.) 
I beg your pardon, ladies. I know you both well. 
and you please me exceedingly. I am a friend of 
Baron Huntington and am myself a baron, yes, 
even more than a baron. It is below my dignity 
to rap or ring at people's doors. I am of royal 
blood, and I am the Prince of Edom. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Surprised and bowing.) Pardon us, your 
Majesty. We were not aware of your Royal 
Highness. 

Grace. 

(Making obeisance.) Pardon us, most noble 
Prince. 



ZOHARITA 83 



(The chauffeur blows for the third time.) 

Grace. 
And I beg leave for a moment's absence, your 
Royal Highness. 

Prince of Edom. 
Certainly, most gracious maiden. 

Grace. 
{Bowing as she goes.) Adieu, your Royal 
Highness. 

Prince of Edom. 
Farewell, thou American Beauty. 

Mrs. Melton. 

And you are a friend of Baron Huntington, 
your Royal Highness? 

Prince of Edom. 

(Nodding his head.) And he is one of those 
Barons on whom is bestowed royal favor. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Oh, I rejoice to hear that, your Highness. You 
are an English prince, I suppose? 

Prince of Edom. 

I am not altogether English, Lady Melton. It 
may sound strange perhaps, but stating the truth. 



84 ZOHARITA 



I find it always difficult to make a true account of 
myself ; for most all the now living royal families 
on earth are my relations. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Looks at him with awe.) Well, I can imagine 
the relations of the royal families are quite compli- 
cated. To which royal family is your Highness 
most closely related, may I ask? 

Prince of Edom. 

There was a time, in the past, my relation-tie 
was strongest with the Royal House of Russia, and 
I have a palace at St. Petersburg. In later times, 
however, I have been more closely attached to the 
Imperial House of Berlin, and felt especially at 
home in Germany. Yet, without boasting of my- 
self, or without speaking vaingloriously of my 
achievements, I am more practical than princes in 
general. Besides having much to say in the fore- 
most royal houses of Europe, saying nothing about 
the smaller countries, in all of which I have my 
say on important questions, I have studied min- 
istry, commerce, and magic, both red and black. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Amazed.) Oh, your Highness, how wise and 
busy you must be! 



ZOHARITA 85 

Prince of Edom. 

I have mentioned but a trifle, Lady Melton. 
Besides watching and influencing the diplomacy of 
the world, and every move of the church, I attend 
also the great political and ecclesiastical conven- 
tions in all countries. Nor is that all. When bills 
of national importance are discussed in the parlia- 
ments of the world, then I am there to defend my 
interests. Still, never at any time, am I so busy as 
in the American political compaigns. 

Mrs. Melton. 

But, your Imperial Highness, how can you at- 
tend to it all ? 

Prince of Edom. 

I have many servants, Lady Melton, and they 
do my work faithfully. 

Mrs. Melton. 

I understand, I understand, your Highness. I 
suppose you tried your utmost to prevent this ter- 
rible war over in your countries. 

Prince of Edom. 

No, Lady Melton, I wanted the war ; and there 
would have been no war had I not so decided. 



86 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton. 

(Surprised.) I am surprised, your Highness. 
War is terrible. 

Prince of Edom. 
War is a great sport for princes and gives im- 
petus to business, Lady Melton. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Yes, but think of the horror of it. 

Prince of Edom. 
(Serious.) Pardon me, Lady Melton, if I call 
your attention to a thing or two. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Most assuredly, your Royal Highness. 

Prince of Edom. 

According to our religion, war must be a good 
thing. It is fitting that I should lay stress on our 
religion, for the officials of the church, over in my 
countries, have from time immemorial prayed, dur- 
ing hours of worship, that God shall strengthen 
and maintain the military forces on land and sea. 
This being so, what reason have Christian people 
for denouncing war? If the forces and imple- 
ments of war are demanded by the church, and 
sanctioned and blessed by God, war itself must be 
a holy affair. 



ZOHARITA 87 



Mrs. Melton. 
{Wonderingly.) Well, but great Prince of 
Edom — 

Prince of Edom. 

{Serious, and with great emphasis.) Or has 
it come to this that the church prays for damna- 
tion, or that God supports forces of destruction for 
unholy purposes? Or does man's wisdom amount 
to this, that he tears down with one hand what he 
builds up with the other, and prays God to bless 
his work? No, no, far be it from that, according 
to our books ! And again, according to our religion, 
we princes and rulers and dictators of war fill our 
positions by the grace of God. Why then should 
we oppose war, or oppose anything fitting for a 
prince ? Or has it come to this, that men dispute 
with God what is right or wrong in the world? 
Has it come to this, that men are turning heretics 
and reject God's supremacy through His own 
chosen agents in the affairs of church and state? 
Be it so, then welcome His vengeance; and may 
famines, epidemics and war re-establish due re- 
spect for God's authorities on earth! 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Looking amazed.) But, your Imperial High- 
ness, this I simply can't understand at all. 



88 ZOHARITA 



Prince of Edom. 
(Emphatically.) Let us praise God through 
the exercise of those powers for which we have 
prayed and worked so faithfully under the guid- 
ance of His representatives! (Waves his hand.) 
Fire on, ye legions of my armies ! I rejoice in 
war ! Sally forth, ye missionaries of my faith, and 
tell the heathens of my God ! To His glory I will 
place a gun on every mountain top and on every 
island of the sea, and all nations shall know that 
the Christian faith prevails, and that Prince of 
Edom rules the earth ! 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Looks astonished.) But, your Royal High- 
ness — 

Prince of Edom. 

(Assuming a pleasant attitude, bows and 
smiles.) I am only emphasizing my high regard for 
the Christian faith, Lady Melton. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Much relieved.) Oh, I admire your Christian 
spirit, most gracious Prince. I am a true Chris- 
tian myself. 

Prince of Edom. 

(With a sweeping how.) I know it, I know it. 
most charming lady! 



ZOHARITA 89 



Mrs. Melton. 

And what is your speciality in magic, may I 
ask? 

Prince of Edom. 

That's more than I can reveal. Still I can tell 
you this much, that I know how to fly through the 
air, and how to change color before people's eyes, 
and how to change form and even how to make 
myself invisible. Besides these things, I can use 
hypnotism freely and successfully. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Oh, but you are the greatest wonder I ever 
heard of. I wish your Royal Highness would kind- 
ly perform some magic feat, as I never saw any- 
thing of the kind. 

Prince of Edom. 

If you promise to be calm. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Would there be any danger? 

Prince of Edom. 
No. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Eagerly.) Oh, then show me your art! 

Prince of Edom. 

(Swings his cane.) Come forth, ye servants of 



90 ZOHARITA 



my court, and make this human woman aware of 
her company, that she may strive still more to be- 
come like one of you ! 

(A reddish light fills the room immediately, and 
some small, stooped, dwarf-like beings, in grey, 
enter the room from all sides, croaking and utter- 
ing peculiar sounds.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Appalled.) Oh, mercy! Who are all these ? 

Prince of Edom. 

{Laughs heartily.) They are some of my serv- 
ants, Lady Melton. Wherever men come from in 
the world, they all become like these, in my 
service — 

{Mrs. Melton, frightened, rushes to one door 
after the other, trying to get out, and the small be- 
ings bar her way.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Hastens to the left, trying to get out, and a 
being stops her at the door.) Let me out ! 

The One at the Door. 

{In a hoarse voice.) Stay back until you can 
call me by name. I am a doorkeeper in your 
house. 



ZOHARITA 91 



Mrs. Melton. 
(Rushing for the door, in the back.) Away, 
I must out! 

The One at the Door. 
Stay back until yon know who I am. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Hastens toward the door, on the right.) Give 
way ! I must out ! 

The One at the Door. 
Not before you have power over me. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(In despair, wringing her hands, turns to 
Prince of Edom.) Oh, your Imperial Majesty, I 
have seen enough ! 

Prince of Edom. 
(Laughing.) Seen enough already? No, you 
have just begun to see. I will show you a thousand 
times more ! 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Imploringly.) For mercy sake, no! I beg 
you to cease your magic performance ! 

(The beings gather around her croaking and 
whistling, while Prince of Edom makes gestures. 
Mrs. Melton raises her hands and cries.) 



92 ZOHARITA 



God help me ! For Christ's sake, help me ! (As 
she prays, Prince of Edom grins and shrugs his 
shoulders. ) 

Prince of Edom. 

(hi a hollow voice, swinging his cane.) It is 
enough. Retreat ! 

(The small beings disappear, and the red glare 
ceases. ) 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Looking at Prince of Edom with consterna- 
tion.) For heaven's sake, don't frighten the life 
out of me ! 

Prince of Edom. 
My Dear Lady, you don't seem to think much 
of your royal company. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Gasping for breath.) But, your Highness, it 
was dreadful ! 

Prince of Edom. 
Oh, that was nothing compared to the crea- 
tures which are to be seen at royal festivals. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With her hand on her bosom.) Do you exer- 
cise your art at royal festivals too? 



ZOHARITA 93 



Prince of Edom. 

Always, my dear lady, and we generally have a 
splendid time — {He laughs.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
Does Baron Huntington take part in royal festi- 
vals, I wonder? 

Prince of Edom. 

He is a favorite of mine, Lady Melton, and so 
are the barons in general, and they all think the 
world of me. 

Mrs. Melton. 

They know all about your wonderful greatness, 
I suppose? 

Prince of Edom. 

They don't know much about me. In fact, any- 
one who becomes a favorite of mine must be mis- 
taken in all important undertakings, and his main 
work in life, that I may guide him — 

Mrs. Melton. 
Why, that's strange, your Royal Highness. 

Prince of Edom. 

Maybe so ; but that's why it was necessary for 
mc to study all things, even the ministry. 



94 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton. 
Where did you study the ministry, your Maj- 
esty? 

Prince of Edom. 

I studied the ministry at various places along 
the coasts of the Mediterranean and finished at 
Rome, where I finally settled down and built my- 
self a palace. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(With a distrustful look.) When? 

Prince of Edom. 
In the early centuries. It took me many hun- 
dred years to revise the writings of Paul alone. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(In painful fear.) You are but jesting, or you 
are more than a man. 

Prince of Edom. 
(Smiling and bowing. ) Pardon me, Lady 
Melton, if I have told you too much. When a 
Prince enjoys the presence of a beautiful woman 
he becomes extravagant with words, for his heart 
is opened. 

Mrs. Melton. 
But I am afraid you don't tell the truth, Your 
Royal Highness. 



ZOHARITA 95 

Prince or Edom. 

You are not familiar with the ways of princes, 
Lady Mehon. You must consider they have an 
extraordinary education and are experts in con- 
versing with ladies. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Consoled.) Well, I can understand that, and 
I beg your pardon, your Highness, for doubting 
you. 

Prince of Edom. 

{Bows and acts with profound courtesy.) And 
you will pardon me in turn for causing you uneasi- 
ness. Believe me, that I am delighted in being so 
fortunate as to have gained the confidence of such 
an exceedingly charming and superior woman. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Smiling.) You are flattering me, your High- 
ness. 

Prince of Edom. 

{With the hand on his heart.) I never flatter, 
but speak from my heart. And believe me, Lady 
Melton, you are one of the foremost of the "Four 
Hundred," all of whom hold me in the highest 
esteem. 

Mrs. Melton. 

I am delighted to learn that you think so. But 



96 ZOHARITA 



what does your Royal Highness know about our 
*Tour Hundred," anyway? 

Prince of Edom. 

They are just the company for princes, Lady 
Melton, and they all throw roses at me and bow 
before me. 

Mrs. Melton. 

You must indeed be a happy man, having so 
many admirers. 

Prince of Edom. 

(In a sober voice.) No, Lady Melton, I am 
not. Unfortunately for me, I am pestered by bad 
omens always, and it makes me restless and wor- 
ried. In former times I had easy days and hardly 
knew what struggle was, but times have gradually 
changed disadvantageously to me ; and according 
to the omens, I may have to suffer great reversals 
before long. 

Mrs, Melton. 

(Sympathetically.) I greatly sympathize with 
your Royal Highness. Do you know how to inter- 
pret omens, too? 

Prince of Edom. 

For a certainty, I do. When I observed, some 
time ago, that the walls of my palace at Rome were 



ZOHARITA 97 



cracking, I knew immediately what it meant to me, 
and it worried me exceedingly. 

Mrs. Melton. 
How deplorable, your Highness ! Is your palace 
at Rome damaged beyond repair? 

Prince of Edom. 

My local workmen have long tried to repair it, 
and the foreman has reported, several times, the 
safety and imposing grandeur of the palace fully 
restored, but the restoration has been false. I 
found the workmen had filled the cracks with clay 
and painted over so as not to show, but the cracks 
were there, and new cracks are occasionally com- 
ing into view. The great trouble is, that the ground 
is sinking. It is a matter of time before the whole 
palace will be a total wreck. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Oh, how deplorable! 

Prince of Edom. 
Yes, the loss will be appalling. 

Mrs. Melton. 
How about your palace at St. Petersburg? 

Prince of Edom. 
Even that is showing signs of a sinking ground. 



ZOHARITA 



The porticos are already unsafe, and cracks can be 
seen in the walls on all sides. 

Mrs. Melton. 
You have had bad luck of late, your Royal 
Highness. 

Prince of Edom. 

Was it not for my practicality and knowledge I 
would soon be bankrupt ; however, I figure like 
this, that I shall make good in one undertaking 
what I have lost in another. In this respect I have 
been very successful. What I have lost on my pal- 
aces, I have more than made good in the liquor busi- 
ness, wars and such. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Are you in the liquor business too? 

Prince of Edom. 

Yes, very extensively. Moreover, I deal in 
foodstuffs also. By special permission from the 
government I control the food prices throughout 
the land; and this has netted me great fortunes. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Oh, then you may well afford to lose a palace 
or two, if need be. 

Prince of Edom. 
Well, notwithstanding threatening disasters, I 



ZOHARITA 99 



am quite prosperous as yet. I am now engaged 
both in steel manufacturing and mining, besides 
doing some oil business and making munitions of 
war. Heavenly favors are bestowed upon me, and 
in appreciation thereof, and because of my religious 
inclination, I am conducting a Bible class in New 
York. 

Mrs. Melton. 

Oh, I marvel at you! (Steps back.) Or are 
you but jesting? 

Prince of Edom. 

I can swear to every word ; and as to my busi- 
ness I can swear it is far more extensive still. To 
mention a thing or two, I have many shops and 
factories, especially here in the East, where I em- 
ploy child labor freely. You need not marvel at 
this, most charming lady. 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Amazed.) But how in the world — 

Prince of Edom. 
I am always telling the truth, Lady Melton, 
and I hope you don't take me for an imposter, a 
polar discoverer or the like. 

Mrs. Melton. 
Wonderful Prince of Edom, you are marvel- 



100 ZOHARITA 



ous ! It is strange, however, that I have never seen 
your name associated with any of the great business 
enterprises of the country. 

Prince of Edom. 

(His voice is from now on growing more stern.) 
One will have to study a business before he knows 
whether it is mine or not; for I do nothing in my 
own name. Whatever I do, I do it in the name of 
some other person. This has been my policy al- 
ways, even from my earliest dealings with man; 
and I have profited by the experiences of ages. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{In great fear, rushes a few steps away from 
him.) Experiences of the ages — ! Who are you? 
You can't deceive me on your age — 

Prince of Edom. 

{Bowing.) You ladies always lay such stress 
upon a man's age. It makes one disgusted, espe- 
cially if he is a prince. 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Hesitatingly.) But I doubt you now, if you 
insist on being as old as the ages and a survivor of 
the earliest man. 

Prince of Edom. 
We are all survivors from the past in more than 



ZOHARITA 101 



one sense. But believe me, I am the Prince of 
Edom, who as yet has suffered from no catastrophe 
and who is faithful to his duty in the world. 

Mrs. Melton. 
( Trembling with fear. ) Your duty is what ? 

Prince of Edom. 
(Grins.) To curse all who contend with me 
and to confuse their work. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With a cry of fear.) Oh, Lord! 

Prince of Edom. 

(Excitedly.) Don't disgrace your royal com- 
pany ! I am here on a special errand for your sake, 
and it makes me shiver to think of it — 

Mrs. Melton. 
(In painful suspense.) What is your errand? 

Prince of Edom. 

You know best yourself how you are mistreated 
by your husband, who is an enemy of mine, and 
how he disregards your views and tastes in all 
things. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With a curious look.) Yes — 



102 ZOHARITA 



Prince of Edom. 

You know also that he has chosen another 
woman for his companion, who is an enemy of 
both of us. 

Mrs. Melton. 

You mean Zoharita? 

Prince of Edom. 

Don't mention her name! She is the terror of 
my Hfe and the destroyer of my peace. (Talks 
fast and excitedly.) She has a strange power 
which affects even me; and wherever she intends 
to appear I am bound to precede her to defend my 
interests. Yet the most deplorable phase of the 
case is the mistakes I am doomed to make in all 
these instances. It is for me to keep out of her 
way, that her eyes shall not look into mine ! I have 
watched her from the time she descended on the 
earth in the likeness of a white flame of mystic 
light. It was a tempestuous night. I was awake 
and at work then as always, and I heard a song in 
the air, like unto a celestial host. I shivered to the 
marrow of my bones from fear ; for it is written on 
the foundation of the world that Prince of Edom 
shall be slain by a flaming sword — (He shivers 
and shakes) I have hoped against the omens of my 
destiny, that I should be able to circumvent this 
last flame also, as I have done with so many others, 



ZOHARITA 103 



but as yet the omens speak against me. ( Grins and 
shakes his fists.) Still I shall fight my case to the 
finish ! And she who tries to overthrow everything 
I have done in the world, and who has robbed you 
of your husband's love, shall find she has a job on 
hand before she has dethroned me. (He groans 
and looks about.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Moves slowly and frightened a step or two 
nearer.) Your Royal Highness — (She pauses and 
gases at him.) Zoharita has done me unspeakable 
harm. 

Prince of Edom. 

(More composed.) You need my help, and I 
need your service. Believe me, I will help him who 
helps me. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(With an inquiring look.) Do you need my 
help? 

Prince of Edom. 

I am at issue with Earl Melton as well as with 
his accomplice. They have conspired against me, 
and I have just put my forces to work to discomfit 
them. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Shrinks back.) Oh! — 



104 ZOHARITA 



Prince of Edom. 
Your husband has pretended to love you, while 
he has in secret loved another woman. Stand up 
for your rights ! Avenge ! Avenge ! 

Mrs. Melton. 

(In agony.) Oh, it is unbearable! I have no 
power over them ! 

Prince of Edom. 

Accuse them publicly! Therein lies your 
power. (Looks as if he sees somebody.) Well, 
well, I see one of my people coming to the house. 
My time is up. Remember my advice. (With a 
deep how.) Au revoir! (He goes out the main 
door.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

(By herself, sighing with relief.) What a 
strange man. (She sits down in a chair as if ex- 
hausted.) 

(Mrs. Lenox comes rushing in frightened and 
excited. ) 

Mrs. Lenox. 

(As she enters.) Oh, Mrs. Melton, I am 
frightened to death! (She seizes hold of a chair 
to lean on, and breathes heavily.) 



ZOHARITA 105 



Mrs. Melton. 
(Rises startled.) For heaven's sakt-^iStaring 
at her.) What's the matter? 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Excited.) I know all about your trouble and 
came to console you, and a big black bird, with 
fiery eyes, met me on the porch, glaring at me and 
said in plain EngHsh: "I make calls, as you ladies 
term it." Then with a whistling sound, he flew 
down in the direction of the church. (With hand 
on her bosom.) Oh, I am terrified! 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Appalled.) It was a man you saw! 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Insistingly.) No, it was a big black bird! 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Excited.) A strange man was here, posing as 
Prince of Edom, and just left, this very minute. 
He was a black magician and frightened me almost 
out of my senses. 

Mrs. Lenox. 

(Overcome with fear.) It must have been that 
general — Mercy, that he should show himself to 
me — ! 



106 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton. 
( With a shriek. ) And to me, too ! 

Mrs. Lenox. 
God save us ! (She reels and falls fainting on 
the floor.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With a screem, staggering.) Oh, it was the 
devil ! 



ZOHARITA 107 



ACT III. 

Scene I. 

Pastor Stevenson's studio a week lateK Door on the 
right and a door opening, with drapery, in the rear, and 
a window on the left. A table with hooks and papers 
and a telephone, to the left of the room, and a hook case 
against the hack wall, to the left of the drapery. A few 
chairs are placed near the tahle. 

Aldrich and Stevenson enter from the right. 

Aldrich. 

{With his head turned toward Stevenson, as 
they enter.) The new church must be a great im- 
posing structure. 

Stevenson. 
I hope so. Take a seat. {They seat themselves.) 

Aldrich. 

I like always to pay the price for the right 
thing. 

Stevenson. 

{Nodding his head.) Exactly. 

Aldrich. 
In these days of church building and prosperous 



108 ZOHARITA 



business, the success of the church and the success 
of business seem to depend on each other. That 
is, on each other's good will and co-operation. 

Stevenson. 
Wisely said, Mr. Aldrich. I look at it in the 
same way, and I agree most heartily with you, that 
we must exert all our energy to keep the foremost 
place in the rank of church institutions. 

Aldrich. 

That's what I think, and that's why I am al- 
ways ready to donate now and then some round 
sums in order to help things along and to reduce the 
burden of my less fortunate brothers of the church. 

Stevenson. 

You are one of the main pillars of the church, 
Mr. Aldrich, and I appreciate most highly your 
generosity and noble interest in its welfare. It dis- 
plays a characteristic peculiar to great men. 

Aldrich. 
Thank you. Pastor Stevenson. It always does 
a man good to be appreciated. But allow me to lay 
before you my important errand. Considering that 
Melton is stirring up the people against both law 
and religion, besides having joined an infidel wom- 
an, and according to the newspapers and the way 



ZOHARITA 109 



people talk, has practically deserted his wife, I 
think it is time that he be expelled from the church. 

Stevenson. 

(Serious.) I am sorry all this trouble has 
arisen, for I have long known Mr. Melton to be a 
good and wise man. 

Aldrich. 
True enough. So have I. But the facts speak 
for themselves in this case. 

Stevenson. 

Even so, let us remember how well we have 
been treated in his home. God forbid, that you and 
I should be the first ones to throw stones at him. 

Aldrich. 
(Emphatically.) His actions and ideas are in- 
tolerable; and for the sake of religion and the 
prestige of the church, it is our duty to disclaim 
any relation with him whatever. And it will great- 
ly surprise me if you do not share my views. 

Stevenson. 
(Rises.) The question is, if we can't stretch 
our view a little in this particular Coise, 

Aldrich. 
Impossible! The welfare of the church de- 



no ZOHARITA 



pends upon the good repute and unimpeachable 
character of its members. 

Stevenson. 

Ah, indeed, brother Aldrich, our hearts ought 
therefore, to beat in sympathy for Mr. Melton. As 
men of unimpeachable character let us love and 
forgive. 

Aldrich. 

You are impractical. Should we remain in- 
active and pray for Melton while he misleads the 
people and ruins this very church? No, that 
wouldn't do. It is for this church and for all 
churches to unite forces against him and put a stop 
to the spreading of his ideas, which are permeated 
with lawlessness and infidelity. 

Stevenson. 
As it has come to this, let us appoint a commit- 
tee to investigate the charges against him. 

Aldrich. 
Very well, Pastor Stevenson. The officers of 
the church may be summoned to a special meeting. 

Stevenson. 
Moreover, we will have to notify Mr. Melton of 
this move that he may have a chance to be heard in 
his own defense. 



ZOHARITA 111 



Aldrich. 
(Hesitatingly.) I don't approve of that. 

Stevenson. 
That is a pre-requisite condition for this pro- 
ceeding, considering we shall act as honorable men. 
I shall even notify Zoharita, for in her there is a 
depth of goodness, although her ideas look erro- 
neous to us. 

Aldrich. 

(Rises hastily.) I don't care for that kind of 
goodness that works distrust and confusion among 
the people, and I intend to see to it that Zoharita's 
goodness and Melton's fanciful ideas shall not be 
tolerated in this church. (Clenches his fist.) What 
I have to say in this matter I shall say with all my 
power. 

Stevenson. 

(Determined.) And so shall I. 

Aldrich. 
(Hesitating as if stunned by the unexpected an- 
swer.) But, there must be no discord between us. 
(Mrs. Melton enters, looking pale.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
Oh, Pastor Stevenson, I am so heartbroken! I 
don't know what to do. My trouble is in my mind 
continually. 



112 ZOHARITA 



Stevenson. 
{Clasping her hand.) Poor Mrs. Melton! 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Weeping.) If you only could help me! This 
published scandal about Melton and that woman is 
a topic of conversation all over the city. 

Aldrich. 
(To Mrs. Melton.) How true, didn't the paper 
state that story? 

Mrs. Melton. 
It seems so, Mr. Aldrich. Oh, what shall I do? 

Aldrich. 
(To Stevenson.) Well, then I will go and at- 
tend to that matter. It is our duty to help Mrs. 
Melton. 

Stevenson. 
Very well, you may proceed to do so. 
(Aldrich shakes hands with them both and de- 
parts.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

I wish you would speak to Mr. Melton in my 
behalf, Pastor Stevenson. 

Stevenson. 
I shall. This was all unexpected of him. (Points 
to a chair.) Please be seated. 



ZOHARITA 113 



Mrs. Melton. 
(Sits down.) How could I have thought this 
of him. Gradually, as by inches, has he slipped 
away from me. 

Stevenson. 

(Sits down beside her.) But tell me, have you 
taken any interest in Mr. Melton's reform work? 
Have you ever made yourself his comrade in his 
thoughts, in his work and in his love for the world ? 

Mrs. Melton. 
I ? The idea — Should that be expected of me ? 

Stevenson. 

It is on that point you two have parted. Be- 
cause of her interest in Melton's work, and her love 
for the people, Zoharita is where you should have 
been. 

(Melton enters, and Stevenson rises and extends 
his hand to greet him. Mrs. Melton shows uneasi- 
ness.) 

Melton. 

(With a smile, as he shakes hands with Steven- 
son.) Well, how are you proceeding with that ser- 
mon, Pastor Stevenson? I expected to get your 
promised explanation last Sunday and was much 
disappointed. 



114 ZOHARITA 



Stevenson. 
{Pointing to a chair.) Please take a seat. 

Melton. 
(To Mrs. Melton, kindly.) Are you here, Lil- 
lith? — (He sits down.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
(With a stiff demeanor.) Yes, Earl. 

Stevenson. 
(Sits down beside Melton.) There was much 
more work with that sermon than I at first antici- 
pated. However, as I now have the main points 
pretty well in mind, I feel sure I shall be able to 
deliver it next Sunday without fail. 

Melton. 

Very well. Pastor Stevenson. I am pleased to 
hear that, because of the help I promised you with 
the new church. 

Stevenson. 

(Smiling.) I am happy to hear this, Mr. Mel- 
ton, and I foresee with pleasure that there shall be 
no rupture between us. 

Melton. 

Well, it is all up to you. To be frank with you, 
I am much disappointed with your passive attitude 



ZOHARITA 115 

with regard to the outrage of John Aldrich upon 
the factory hands and mill workers and, in fact, 
upon the people in general. 

Stevenson. 

But, dear Mr. Melton, I have no jurisdiction in 
this matter, and I sincerely hope you will see that I 
can't undertake to inquire into John Aldrich's busi- 
ness, or in any way start to meddle with his affairs. 

Melton. 

It is imperative that you show your colors in 
this case. Considering the welfare of society and 
your duty to the church, you can no longer afford 
to be silent regarding it. 

Stevenson. 
You ask too much of me, Mr. Melton. I have 
always regarded labor troubles as disassociated with 
church affairs, and a minister's attention to be 
claimed by other duties. 

Melton. 
(Insistingly with emphasis.) You should have 
been the first and the foremost to protect the peo- 
ple; for you should know, more than any one else, 
that the treatment, to which they have now been 
subject, will discourage the average man and in- 
jure him spiritually as well as physically and make 



116 ZOHARITA 



him revolt against both law and religion. And God 
knows he is justified. 

You ought to realize and bear in mind always, 
that the church can keep the love and respect of the 
people only by protecting them. That is, after they 
become enlightened. — 

Stevenson. 
Yes, very true indeed ; still, it is also true that 
any attempt on my part to criticise the action of 
John Aldrich would be resented by the leading 
members of the church as well as by Mr. Aldrich 
himself, save you alone. 

Mrs. Melton. 

{Indignantly.) Of course, you are right, Pas- 
tor Stevenson ! The idea, that you should side with 
the working class and cause discomfort for all re- 
spectable people, is absurd indeed. It seems to me, 
Earl, you should restrain your offensive notions a 
little. 

Melton. 

{Rises, pauses and points his finger at Stevenson. 
Both he and Mrs. Melton twist uneasily in their 
seats.) Any man, who, in a crisis like this, puts 
his position, or his esteem in the eyes of others, 
above his duty and dare neither speak nor act in 
behalf of the defenseless, is a contemptible hypo- 
crite. 



ZOHARITA 117 



Stevenson. 
(Rises.) I am sorry to say it, Mr. Melton, but it 
appears to me that you are yourself much to blame 
in this trouble, which you seem bent on having 
others suffer for. 

Melton. 
I appreciate hearing your real opinion. 

Stevenson. 
(Accusingly.) You have been stirring up the 
laboring people against the authorities and made 
them dissatisfied with the place in which God has 
put them. (With emphasis.) The Church stands 
for peace, but you are creating strife and making 
the people unruly and contemptuous. You have 
raised your hand against God, my brother, and I 
caution you to halt on your march, lest disaster 
shall befall us all. 

Melton. 
Well, well— 
(Mrs. Melton smiles.) 

Stevenson. 

I don't approve the action of John Aldrich in 

closing down his works ; neither do I approve your 

action in stirring up his employes to strike and 

rebel ; for in so doing you have offended John Aid- 



118 ZOHARITA 



rich and given rise to the serious conditions now 
prevailing among the people. 

Melton. 
(Aroused.) Am I to blame for the people's 
suffering because I have offended John Aldrich? 
Are you blind as to the true cause of strife and dis- 
contentment in this community? When wages are 
too small to afford the toilers a decent living under 
any circumstances, do you suppose there is any 
justification for rebellion on their part, or do you 
suppose that men of influence have any duty with 
regard to their struggles ? What do you stand for ? 
What is your mission among the people ? 

Stevenson. 
(With dignity.) I stand for peace — 

Melton. 
(Forcefully.) Peace with whom and peace for 
whom? You stand for peace with John Aldrich at 
any cost, and you use your sacred office in procur- 
ing peace for him, no matter what he does. His 
avarice is no discredit in your eyes, and although 
being well aware of the long trail of wrecks and 
ruins which mark his career, you have no fault to 
find with him as a Christian and a member of this 
church ; but because I try to guide the people out of 
his clutches, you claim I am raising my hand against 



ZOHARITA 119 



God and I am putting us all in danger of disaster. 
If disaster comes and must come because the people 
want their rights, then I welcome disaster both for 
you and for John Aldrich. {He hows and departs.) 

Mrs. Melton. 
{Gasping for breath.) It was well you found 
out for yourself how he has changed. 

Stevenson. 

{With bowed head.) Yes, Mr. Melton is a 
changed man. I am sorry, very sorry. 

{Prince of Edom enters as an old monk, with 
a long grey beard. He smiles, and bows profoundly 
as he enters.) 

Prince of Edom. 

How do you do, most noble Pastor Stevenson ! 
Pardon me for entering your presence unannounced. 
My name is Elemento. I am a linguist, and a mis- 
sionary by vocation. {He reaches forth his hand 
and moves a few steps toward Stevenson.) 

Stevenson. 
I am glad to make your acquaintance, brother 
Elemento. {They shake hands.) 

Prince of Edom. 
{Moves a step aside, bowing.) I have worked 
in the interest of the church throughout nearly the 



120 ZOHARITA 



whole vv^orld, especially in Spain, Italy, France, and 
Russia, although I have travelled and preached 
more or less throughout all Europe, besides having 
made some strenuous trips into all the heathen 
countries in behalf of our cause. 

Stevenson. 

Well, I declare ! I do not often have such a 
visitor. You must certainly have worked hard and 
faithfully. 

Prince of Edom. 

(Bowing.) Permit me to state that my field of 
missionary work has been more extensive still. I 
have interpreted the scriptures throughout all of 
South and Central America, Mexico, Boston, New 
York, and Chicago. Now I am what you may call 
a Missionary at Large in the United States. 

Stevenson. 
{Surprised.) Oh, this is truly marvelous! 

Prince of Edom. 
People have wanted my advice and teachings 
and have called upon me from all sides. Thus, it 
has been easy for me to travel, although I have 
never known peace or rest. But new teachers have 
now come into the field and dispute with me over 
the word of truth and the rights of man. This has 



ZOHARITA 121 



caused me much provocation and worry, but to my 
consolation, I am informed of your virtues, (With 
a bow.) and that you are at peace with the pillars 
of society. (With great emphasis, reaches forth 
his hands.) Receive me then, I pray, as I come to 
you with open heart and great hope ! 

Stevenson. 

You come just in an opportune moment, as I am 
much in need of a word of cheer myself. (Points 
to a chair.) Will you take a seat? 

Prince of Edom. 

(With a deep how.) Thanks, many thanks; 
but I shall not tarry. A cheer to you — Yes, cheer 
to him who has cheer deserved ! Much have I to 
thank and praise you for, Pastor Stevenson, as 
you have been true to your mission and preached 
the precepts of our dear old doctrine, as it was 
worked out and laid down by our early ecclesiastics. 

Stevenson. 

(Wonderingly.) I don't really understand you, 
brother Elemento. Are we not preaching the gos- 
pel of the Lord? 

Prince of Edom. 

( With a grin and shudder. ) We are preaching 
something even better. (Bowing.) And permit 



122 ZOHARITA 



me to say, that it is of much comfort to me that 
there is no friction between us — 

{Mrs. Melton, who has been looking inquiringly 
at Prince of Edom, becomes suspicious and, with- 
out Stevenson observing it, expresses fear. She 
rises and goes over to the drapery and steps be- 
hind it.) 

Stevenson. 

There can be no question but that we agree, 
though your expressions are not quite clear to me. 

Prince of Edom. 

{Bowing.) Allow me to say, that I never ap- 
proved of the solemn and stern teachings of — of — 
well, pardon me for not mentioning names. 

Stevenson. 
Do you mean the teachings of Christ? 

Prince of Edom. 

{Grins.) Yes, yes, — I mean that it has never 
appealed to me. 

Stevenson. 

{Surprised.) Do you, a missionary of the gos- 
pel, mean to say that the teachings of Christ never 
appealed to you? 

Prince of Edom. 
{Bowing and smiling.) Don't misunderstand 



ZOHARITA 123 



me, my distinguished ecclesiast. I simply mean to 
say that His teaching has no comfort for criminals 
and sinners in general. If we missionaries should 
content ourselves with His teachings, and preach 
for instance : "Blessed be the pure of heart ; or 
they who do God's will among men," which has no 
bearing on religious beliefs, what would become of 
our doctrine of salvation? 

Stevenson. 
{Pondering.) Yes, I see the point — 

Prince of Edgm. 

(In profound sincerity.) That's what I thought. 
Think the matter over, and you will see how we 
are fortunate in being provided by our wise prede- 
cessors of the church with a salvation for good and 
bad men alike; a salvation which sets aside all vir- 
tue and the law itself. (He looks at Stevenson 
with a broad smile.) 

Stevenson. 

{W onderingly .) Is that what you preach to 
the heathen? 

Prince of Edom. 

{Profoundly serious.) I preach what you preach, 
and thus you know what I preach. And as for the 
scriptures, I have studied them long and carefully 



124 ZOHARITA 



and grown old interpreting them. ( With emphasis. ) 
You hold, like myself, that the moral teaching of 
our religion is but a secondary matter, since it is 
only the doctrine of redemption we must insist 
upon ; and you hold, like myself, that it is not the 
good deeds which count, but the faith alone, such 
as set forth by our early brothers of the church. 

Stevenson. 

Well, but brother Elemento, although we agree 
respecting the doctrine, you surprise me with your 
allegation as to its origin. 

Prince of Edom. 

You must have overlooked some facts in this 
matter, my able co-worker. As you and I may well 
admit in secret, the Lord declared, before being 
captured by the Jews, that His mission on earth 
was already finished. Well, I suppose you know all 
about that fourth verse of the seventeenth chapter 
of John, a statement I fear may be more disastrous 
to our doctrine than any war or calamity. 

Stevenson. 
Certainly. 

Prince of Edom. 

It should then be evident to you, that the so- 
called Lord and Master contradicts our doctrine 
and gives evidence that the last, tragic chapter of 



ZOHARITA 125 



His life was no part of His mission in the world. 
(Bows deeply.) But thanks to you, Pastor Stev- 
enson, who has always been silent on this point — 

Stevenson. 
You must have studied these things with great 
care. 

Prince of Edom. 

(With a deep bow.) So I have indeed; and I 
trust you see how sorely the church was in need of 
a practical doctrine of salvation. (Takes a little 
book out of his pocket.) Here I have the mission- 
aries' text book, which sets it all forth clearly and 
specifically. (Holds the book forth.) This teach- 
ing, that all sin is paid for, is the golden word in 
peace and war, radiating comfort to priests and 
kings and slaves alike, and is the smiling sunshine 
upon all deeds and upon all kinds of politics and 
business. (He looks at Stevenson with a broad 
smile and makes a deep bow.) 

Stevenson. 

(As the Prince of Edom straightens himself.) 
Yes, these are all accepted facts, and I am glad we 
agree on the fundamentals. 

Prince of Edom. 
(Bows.) Well be it so, my friend, and I am 
proud to say that long have my views been gener- 



126 ZOHARITA 



ally accepted by the foremost men of church and 
state. (With emphasis.) But now, because of the 
new teachers in the field, I am worried exceedingly 
that my views shall be relegated to the background, 
(Holds the book forth with trembling hand.) and 
this, my beloved little book, be destroyed. Oh, 
Pastor Stevenson, come to my aid ! I foresee so- 
cial upheavals and great changes ! Be prepared ! 
Unexpected as the thief at night the Mighty Hand 
may reach for you. 

Stevenson. 
(Anxious.) Are we to undergo a revolution ? 

Prince of Edom. 

It is written that the world of old shall be de- 
stroyed by fire ; and behold, I see a little flame, 
with the energy of immensity, threatening to do the 
work ! You know how a certain politician and a 
heathen woman are firing the minds of the popu- 
lace in your great city, against the old order of 
things. (Exclaims.) Stop that fire. Pastor Stev- 
enson, or it will become a conflagration that shall 
reduce to ashes all that we have built in the world ! 

Stevenson. 

I deplore the seriousness of the situation my- 
self. Probably the worst of it is that Mr. Melton 



ZQHARITA 127 

is a member of my church, and the most intelligent 
member at that. 

Prince of Edom. 

I know it, and have already discussed the matter 
with other members of the church and hinted, that 
you ought to expel him. And as for that heathen 
woman — She teaches, as did the most ancient phil- 
osophers, that man leaves this world, and, after 
some time, returns in another body, reaching, as a 
rule, a higher plane in spiritual evolution for each 
earth-life. In view of this, no man ever went to 
hell to stay forever. (With emphasis.) Suppose 
this teaching takes root among the people, what 
message shall we then bring to the heathen, and 
how shall we then threaten infidils? It will do 
away altogether with this little book — 

Stevenson. 

I am very sorry, indeed, that this woman has 
gained a hearing before the people. Still, I must 
frankly admit, that I am deeply impressed by many 
of her sayings myself. 

Prince of Edom. 

(Steps back with a worried look, exclaiming.) 
By my soul, it mustn't happen, that even you shall 
go the way of the lost ! 



128 ZOHARITA 



Stevenson. 

Well, I don't mean to say that I have surren- 
dered any part of our faith or doctrine as yet, 
but— 

Prince of Edom. 

(Steps forth with a happy smile.) You almost 
frightened me. (He appears startled by something 
and looks about anxiously.) My great enemy is 
coming! I better go. (Goes on tiptoe a few 
steps toward the door.) No peace for me, never! 
(Turns with a deep bow.) Au revoir! (He goes, 
and Stevenson stands looking thoughtfully toward 
the door.) 

Mrs. Melton. 

(With a frightened look, and white in her face, 
parts the drapery slowly, staring interrogatively at 
Stevenson.) Oh, Pastor Stevenson ! (Walks forth 
much affected.) That you couldn't realize who he 
was — (Rests herself against the desk with both 
hands. ) 

Stevenson. 

(In great suspense.) Who in the world — 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Breathing heavily.) That awful one — 

Stevenson. 
( Surprised. ) Who ? 



ZOHARITA 129 



Mrs. Melton. 
The Prince of Edom ! It is the Prince of Edom 
you have been entertaining. 

Stevenson. 

(Excited.) Can it be possible? I feared so 
myself. (Hurries out.) I must be sure! (Mrs. 
Melton looks anxiously towards the door, and Stev- 
enson returns with the little book in his hand.) 
Gone ! He is nowhere ! Has disappeared like a 
ghost, and here is his book. He had left it on the 
step. To think that the Devil should come here! 
(Paces to and fro, half bewildered, then stops.) 
I felt he had a peculiar influence. Well, well, I 
have seen him at last. (Looks at the little hook.) 
What a curious little thing! (Smells of it.) But 
for goodness sake! (Smells again.) It smells of 
sulphur. But wasn't that strange — (Reflecting). 
But how shall we understand this? (Pauses and 
looks at Mrs. Melton, and then exclaims:) Ah, Mrs. 
Melton, we are in dangerous waters ! See the break- 
ers all about us ! We must out of here, or down we 
go ! (Pauses again and looks fixedly at her.) Great 
God, Zoharita may be a messenger of light after 
all! 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Straightens up, vehemently.) No, no! She is 
a disturber of religious peace and a home-destroyer! 



130 ZOHARITA 



Stevenson. 

Look out, Mrs. Melton ! The Prince of Edom is 
on your side ! 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Points her finger at him.) And on yours! 
( The door hell rings. ) 

Stevenson. 

( Wiping his face in haste. ) Maybe the Prince 
comes back for his book — {He throws the hook on 
the desk.) 

{It rings again.) 

Stevenson. 

Come ! 

{Zoharita and a poor, shahhily dressed woman 
with a little girl, enter. Mrs. Melton looks disdain- 
fully at Zoharita and, turning to the hook case, picks 
up a book and pretends to read.) 

Zoharita. 
{To Stevenson, as she enters.) Peace be with 
you! I am Zoharita, about whom you may have 
heard. 

Stevenson. 
(Gives her his hand.) How do you do, madam ! 
I am much pleased to make your acquaintance. 



ZOHARITA 131 

ZOHARITA. 

I brought this poor and unhappy sister with me, 
hoping you might be able to help her. 

Stevenson. 

(Extends his hand to the poor woman.) It was 
well you came, poor sister ! What may I do for 
you? 

The Woman. 
{Submissively.) My story is hard to tell. 
iSohs.) We are many in the family and have noth- 
ing to eat. Our credit was cut off when the fac- 
tories closed. 

ZOHARITA. 

She is one of John Aldrich's many victims. 

Stevenson. 
I am very sorry, but when the appeal concerns 
food, I must admit my inability to help anyone. 
You better see some merchant or the city authori- 
ties. 

ZOHARITA. 

I am informed that John Aldrich is a member 
of your church — 

Stevenson. 
{Nodding his head.) Yes, what of it? 



132 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

I thought you might intercede with him in be- 
half of these people for whom he has caused 
starvation and unhappiness. 

Stevenson. 

Well, I tell you, lady: Depressions like this, 
though very bad indeed, are not new in the world. 
They come and go like clouds in the sky. They are 
beyond human control ! 

ZOHARITA. 

Pastor Stevenson, I am here with a message 
for you: Take this unhappy sister and her child 
with you into the church next Sunday morning 
and place them beside you before the people. Then 
tell their story and point out their rights as God's 
children in the world. Also lay bare the char- 
acter and doings of John Aldrich, and preach the 
salvation which is in love and righteousness. 

Thus says the Lord: Because thou hast taught 
a salvation and a way to heaven according to the 
precepts of the Prince of Edom, hast thou kept the 
light from my people. But behold, I speak anew 
unto all men and call all life out of darkness. 

Stevenson. 
(Wonderingly.) Who are you, anyway? 



ZOHARITA 133 



ZOHARITA. 

As yet it matters little to you. Listen to me, 
and ministering angels shall help you. Or stand up 
for John Aldrich, and you shall share with him the 
curse of the world and the lot of the wicked. 

Stevenson. 

(Sits down, wiping his forehead.) Your Lord 
is a strict Lord. 

ZOHARITA. 

Aye, strict is He whom no one can cheat, and 
whose laws repay all deeds justly. His love ex- 
tends to these humblest of His, whom He calls 
upon you to help and protect. He is my God, and 
through obedience to Him alone is the gateway to 
eternal life. 

Stevenson. 

(Rises.) Lady, you are either a prophetess or 
an impostress. 

Mrs. Melton. 

( Who has been stealing ominous glances at Zo- 
harita, throws the book on the desk with a bang.) 
Of course, she is an impostress. Pretends to be a 
holy being and sneaks about to capture the atten- 
tion of men and to break up people's homes. 



134 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

(Kindly.) You don't mean what you say, sister 
Melton. 

Mrs. Melton. 
(Retorting wrathfully.) I mean it all, and I 
mean that you have robbed me of my life's happi- 
ness ! 

Stevenson. 
Hush, Mrs. Melton! (Seising her arm.) You 
must be out of your mind — 

Mrs. Melton. 
(To Stevenson, scornfully.) You too, are be- 
witched ! She knows how to turn weak men. 

(Stevenson lets go of her arm and shakes his 
head.) 

ZOHARITA. 

(To Mrs. Melton, tenderly.) Let me help you, 
dear sister, and a new joy shall come to you, greater 
than the former. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(Looking at her angrily.) Get out of my sight, 
you high-priestess and home-destroyer! (Stamps 
her foot.) And call me not your sister, you unholy 
impostress. 

(Zoharita looks sympathetically at Mrs. Melton. 



ZOHARITA 135 



A radiant white light gradually encircles her, the 
sign of the cross appearing above her head,) 

Stevenson. 

{Astonished, bends on his knees before Zoha- 
rita. ) Forgive me, oh thou angel of light ! I shall 
comply with thy request and make amends. 

Mrs. Melton. 

(With her hands to her face, staggering.) My 
God! 

ZOHARITA. 

{Seising her arm.) Fear not! 



ACT III. 
Scene II. 



Zoharita's apartment about two weeks later. The fur- 
nishing is Oriental and artistically arranged. Zoharita 
is attired in an Oriental silken costume. 

Zoharita. 

{Standing at the center of the room with hands 
folded and her eyes raised in supplication.) Oh, 
I implore thee, my Master, to answer thy servant! 



136 ZOHARITA 



Nay, I command thee by the power invested in me, 
as a worker for the uplift of man, not to withhold 
thy counsel ; for I ask it not for my own sake, but 
for the sake of the work thou hast given me to do. 
Thou knowest the forces of darkness are rampant 
in the world and act most cruelly through ignor- 
ance, avarice and war. Invest me therefore with 
more power that I may conquer the evil. 

(A solemn and powerful voice answers, and 
Zoharita kneels down, with her face and hands 
raised. ) 

The Voice. 

Faithful servant; thy love vibrates into the in- 
nermost, and thy powers increase according to thy 
use of them. The one who is willing to give his 
life for the uplift of the world, and has prepared 
himself in the Great name, is a god among men and 
holds the keys to all the closed gates which cross 
his path. Powers and principalities must come to 
his service; and they will continue the work in his 
name, long after he has gone. 

Be faithful to thy trust, and according to thy 
faith and great love for humanity, so be it unto thee. 

Zoharita. 
(Remaining kneeling.) I thank thee, oh, thou 
great Master and Comptroller of this world, for 
answering my daring request! 



ZOHARITA 137 



The Voice. 

My beloved, thy light gives thee the privilege to 
call on my name and to ask my aid. 

(A white light envelopes Zoharita, and she 
prostrates herself. The voice continues.) We are 
witnessing the grewsome conflict between many na- 
tions on your beloved earth. Proud in their evan- 
escent glory the rulers of men worship their own 
glory and compel brother to kill brother for the 
possession of ant hills. Yet if we but gave the 
word to the Muspels in the depth of the earth, they 
would sink the warring nations below the sea in 
the same moment. 

For nineteen centuries have the Christians 
prayed for peace on earth and "thy kingdom come 
and thy will be done," yet, at the same time, they 
have worked for war and hell on earth and let the 
coming of the kingdom of God depend on empty 
prayers. Now they pray for peace in the hell of 
their own creation and wonder why God permits 
the war, or why He doesn't stop the war. 

Speak thou, my servant, to the blind leaders of 
the blind and tell them this : that man will gain that 
only which, he creates and lives in his own heart. 
Speak, thus saith the Lord : "Behold how the celes- 
tial bodies and systems of bodies are united in the 
alliance of the cosmos, and how the least and the 



138 ZOHARITA 



greatest alike have peace and splendor under the 
provision of immutable laws. All nations and 
races of men, unite, therefore, in a similar alliance, 
in a Federation of the World for peace and mutual 
happiness. 

Wars and dangers of wars, on your beloved 
earth, are due mainly to the multiple governments 
and separate interests of the nations ; and national 
defenses are due to the same separateness. Unite, 
therefore, all nations into one brotherhood, for mu- 
tual protection and mutual interest, and the need of 
national defenses ceases. And this is the law of 
peace and justice for nations and individuals alike : 
that they accord the same rights and privileges to 
others that they expect others to accord to them. 

Mayest thou, my messenger, succeed in helping 
man to learn to know himself. He is destined to 
become more than man, and in the grand and glori- 
ous future he will reach that stage where he can 
leave this little planet to enter a new cycle of evolu- 
tion on a shining orb of a higher order. Eons of 
ages shall come and pass, but man shall go onward 
from attainment to attainment, possessing and rul- 
ing radiant worlds, grandiose beyond expression of 
human language. 

(Zoharita rises on her knees and weeps silently. 
She raises her face upward, and it is illumined for 
an instant. The door bell rings, and presently the 



ZOHARITA 139 

servant, who is also garbed in an Eastern costume, 
announces Earl Melton. Zoharita rises and directs 
the servant to bid him enter,) 

Melton. 

(Enters.) Pardon my audacity in coming here. 
(He extends his hand to Zoharita, who greets him.) 

Zoharita. 

Please be seated, Mr. Melton! (They both sit 
down.) 

Melton. 

(Noticing Zoharita' s solemn expression.) Has 
anything unusual occurred? 

Zoharita. 

(With a smile.) Yes, something. Yet I am 
all right, as you Americans say. I am only over- 
come with a great joy, concerning which I shall not 
speak at this time. 

Melton. 

(Relieved.) I am not so presumptuous as to 
ask you to reveal the secret of your joy to me. I 
am eager to sit at your feet and listen to your wise 
sayings. Thanks to you, my teacher, who came and 
opened my eyes to the hidden truths of life. 



140 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

When the disciple is ready, the teacher is al- 
ways there to help and instruct. 

Melton. 
(Wonderingly.) Then you must have been 
aware of me before we ever met? 

ZOHARITA. 

Aye, I have known you, or rather we have 
known each other ere we met on this physical 
plane — 

Melton. 

(Passing his hand across his brow.) What a 
strange glimpse of something more than half for- 
gotten — I have for years, at intermittant periods, 
dreamt about a woman, attired, sometimes in white 
and sometimes in rose-colored raiment. And then 
— yes, when you and I met, I thought I recognized 
you as the woman of my dreams. 

ZOHARITA. 

What more do you remember about her — ? 

Melton. 

(Looking into vacancy.) In our movements 
through what here we may call invisible realm, we 
frequently passed obstinate and contending forces. 
And as she was much stronger than I, she was my 



ZOHARITA 141 



leader. We often visited a beautiful island where 
we saw exalting wonders and where she taught 
me — (Passes the hand over his brow.) Oh, I can't 
name it. Only this is clear to my mind, that she 
was a wonderful teacher, and I her devout disciple, 
and that we loved one another. My heart burns 
when I think of her. 

ZOHARITA. 

(Passes her hand over his head.) What more 
do you remember? 

Melton. 

(In the same dreamy way.) That's strange. I 
begin to remember more clearly. There were white 
and almost transparent edifices, schools, and temples 
of grand and imposing architecture. (Rises and 
exclaims. ) You bring all those wonders back to me ! 
Now I recall the people! Oh, such beautiful and 
magnanimous looking people, with voices sweet as 
the songs of seraphims. I find it difficult to believe 
such lived or ever will come to live on this earth. 
Yet it seemed plain to me that they had all been 
here at various periods in the past. Some seemed 
to hail from ancient Egypt, others from Babylonia, 
and still others from Phenicia, Greece, and Rome. 
Moreover, we were saluted by them all as friends of 
theirs from those various countries at various ages 



142 ZOHARITA 



in the past. But the woman of my dreams, as I 
now remember her, was even fairer than they. She 
was radiant, and they kneh before her and said : 
"Blessed be thou above others who wert chosen to 
carry thy light into the world; and blessed be the 
world for thy sake." {He looks inquiringly at 
Zoharita and sits down beside her.) 

ZOHARITA. 

( With a happy smile, again passes her hand over 
his head.) What else do you recall? 

Melton. 

{Thoughtfully for a moment.) Oh, now I see 
as if by an inner sight that wonderful Master- 
teacher who instructed throngs of people in the laws 
of the universe, and I perceived that far more did 
he know than has been revealed by man through 
the sciences. 

Zoharita. 

Aye, of a truth he did — 

Melton. 

{With a beaming look at Zoharita.) That re- 
mark admitted something — 

Zoharita. 
What more do you recall about that great 
teacher ? 



ZOHARITA 143 



Melton. 

(Leaning back in his seat, reflecting.) Speaking 
about the evolution of the human soul he said, that 
every one makes progress in proportion to his own 
labor, and must pay, by his own struggle, for every 
degree of perfection attained. Consciousness and 
realization, he said, grow by the unfoldment of 
one's divine inheritance, whether it be in the cor- 
poreal or incorporeal state of the being. 

ZOHARITA, 

(Nodding her head.) Aye, aye, this we must 
teach men. 

Melton. 

I also recall that master saying, that teach- 
ers from other stars came with the first spiritual 
light to mankind and founded the earliest civiliza- 
tions. He said that many culture periods of the 
past endured for thousands of years, stretching 
across time with intermediate periods of dark 
ages. 

ZOHARITA. 

(Nodding her head and passing her hand over 
his brow.) And what about the music you heard? 

Melton. 
(Exclaiming.) Oh, I remember! That music 
was grander than any human ear has ever heard. 



144 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 
(Smiling.) No wonder you think so. You 
heard miUions of stars singing. Or, in other words, 
you heard the vibrations and grand symphony of 
the stellar universe. 

Melton. 

(IVonderingly.) I think I have read some- 
thing in a prophetical writing about the stars sing- 
ing together — ^but is it a fact that they really sing? 

ZOHARITA. 

Each star is tuned to a certain key, and they all 
vibrate in harmony, creating music throughout im- 
mensity. 

Melton. 

Grand ! Marvelous ! It baffles my senses 
(Looking intently at Zoharita.) But greater to me 
than anything else I saw and heard in the Astral 
Realm, is the woman of my dreams whom I now 
know was you. 

Zoharita. 

(Nodding her head admittingly.) Yes, I helped 
you and taught you on the inner planes ere you be- 
held me on the outer. 

Melton. 

(Joyously.) And do you still teach me on 
those inner planes? 



ZOHARITA 145 

ZOHARITA. 

(Seriously, looking him in the eyes.) Thou 
dost know, but the shroud of matter beclouds thee, 
O soul, and hinders thee from fully conveying to 
thy outer mask those truths and teachings from the 
inner planes that thou knowest so well. 

Melton. 

{Emotionally.) And even so; to be satisfied 
that those dreams were real experiences of my in- 
ner self, and to be convinced that you were my com- 
panion, are to me truth and teachings enough. 
Yet, I will ask you this question : If matter be- 
clouds the soul when the physical body is awake, 
why doesn't it becloud the soul when the physical 
body sleeps? 

ZOHARITA. 

Because, when the physical body sleeps the soul 
generally wanders away from the body, projects 
itself, as it were, often to distant places and even 
far away from the earth. But only the higher de- 
veloped man can do this. These wanderings you 
remember as dreams, but in which your physical 
body has had no part and could not hinder. 

Melton. 

{Nodding his head thoughtfully.) I see, I un- 
derstand 



146 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

All, who, in their daily life, aspire to spiritual 
attainment, ascend into higher spiritual realms as 
soon as their physical body sleeps, and draw new 
strength and stimulus for the next day's struggle 
in the world of contention and temptation. And 
well be it for the human that the physical brain 
remains unaware of it all, lest his life here should 
become unbearable. 

Melton. 

How I would love to speak to the people of the 
sacred truths you have taught me. But the para- 
mount question of the day is that of bread and 
liberty. Before that question is settled, with the 
same rights and privileges assured to all, spiritual 
light is only of secondary interest to the people. 

ZOHARITA. 

Be therefore more determined than ever in your 
battle for the people's rights, and greater things than 
you have dared to hope for, shall come to pass. 

Melton. 
(Eagerly.) Am I allowed to know? 

ZOHARITA. 

The time is near when there shall arise in this 
country the highest civilization this world has ever 



ZOHARITA 147 



known. Lightgivers of the past, renowned mas- 
ters of old, shall reincarnate and establish anew 
their schools of wisdom and culture among men. 

Melton. 
(Delightfully.) Is it possible! 

ZOHARITA. 

Aye, of a truth. Go you hence and prepare the 
way. 

Melton. 
Yes, with joy in my soul, I shall. 

ZOHARITA. 

Much of what the future holds in store could I 
reveal to you; and to many great truths, yet un- 
known to you, will you be able to listen after hav- 
ing further qualified yourself in the service of hu- 
manity. (She rises.) 

Melton. 

(With emotion, as he too, rises.) You truly 
know how to spur me on. I feel a power within 
me rushing onward like rapid waters ; rushing on- 
ward to help and to save; rushing onward to pro- 
claim peace and justice on earth! (Grasps her 
hand.) Thanks to you, oh woman of my dreams! 
(Tenderly.) How can I ever express my grati- 
tude to you? Words are inadequate. 



148 ZOHARITA 



ZOHARITA. 

(Withdrawing her hand gently.) By unflinch- 
ing devotion and true service to the cause, and 
with love to all men, do you pay for received bless- 
ings and earn treasures that shall never perish. 

Melton. 
When I am in your presence I expand in con- 
sciousness and increase in my love for the world. 
Could I but be with you always I would sooner 
become like you in all virtues. {Grasps her hand 
emotionally.) Oh, God, if I only could be with 
you always ! You, the most wonderful woman on 
earth, has entered my heart forever! Oh, vastly 
more are you than a mere wom.an ! You are a god- 
dess, while I, a poor mortal, love you, love you ! 
{The last sentence is much suppressed.) 

ZOHARITA. 

{Withdrawing her hand and raising it against 
him.) Hush, brother! Not so. Do not so forget 
yourself as to make it impossible for us to work 
together. 

Melton. 

{Emotionally.) Forgive, oh forgive me! But 
I never knew what true love was before I met you 
in my dreams ; and it has grown ever since. It is 
a living fire of divine essence, and I am powerless 
to check it! 



ZOHARITA 149 



ZOHARITA. 

But Melton, Melton, be strong! 

Melton. 

{With the same emotion.) I know I have 
trespassed on forbidden ground and have no so- 
called legal right to express myself like this to you. 
Yet, should you banish me from your sight for- 
ever, I love you still with the most sacred love that 
ever flamed from a human heart. (Talks rapidly 
and excitedly.) I have struggled against it and 
thought I would drown it in silence, but to no avail. 
Like a radiant corona it bursts forth from my 
suffering soul, and I know it will never die! It is 
a powerful and impelling force, and on its shining 
wings I will rush through the heavens wherever you 
go ! (He closes his fists with a strained look, show- 
ing effort to restrain his emotion.) 

ZOHARITA. 

I must not let you go on like this. Although I 
know the character of your love is what you say, 
yet I forbid you to express it in the way of man. 
Be master over your emotions and do not forget 
that as my disciple you have been taught to live in 
the impersonal and not in the personal self. The 
one who has entered the narrow path must be will- 



150 ZOHARITA 



ing to give himself in full as a living sacrifice on 
the altar of humanity. 

Melton. 
(Bending his head in sad submission.) So be 
it, and have I sinned against you — I beg your 
pardon. 

ZOHARITA. 

True love can never sin. But it is for you to 
think of your mission, and let nothing divert your 
mind from your great work. That alone requires 
all your love and all your strength. 

Melton. 

(Kisses her hand.) I realize it all, and I prom- 
ise to be faithful, yet my soul will always be yearn- 
ing for you, the white woman of my dreams. (He 
gives indication of wanting to weep and hastens 
out with bowed head.) 

ZOHARITA. 

(After looking toward the door for a moment, 
turns her head and covers her face with both hands. 
Presently, she flings both hands upward with lifted 
face. ) Oh, I musn't be weak ! My strength must 
help him through all his trials and tests, to endure 
the pricks of thorns on the narrow path, which so 
few can walk to its uppermost height, where it 



ZOHARITA 151 



ends in victory over all the lower propensities of 
man, and the forces of the spheres beneath the 
rank of man. Help him, my Master! Well may 
I serve as hope and anchor to his soul ; and well for 
him that the identity of us both is hidden to him. 
Aye, well for him, while here, that he doesn't 
know — 



152 ZOHARITA 



ACT IV. 

Scene I. 

Inglehart's newspaper office. A desk, with some news- 
Papers and a telephone, to the right, and a waste basket 
near by. There are a few chairs and a couch in the room 
also, and some newspapers strewn about; one door and 
a window on the left, and a door in the rear. 

Inglehart sits at his desk with a pair of long scissors, 
making out clippings from a newspaper. 



Prince of Edom. 

(Enters bowing and is attired as on his visit to 
Mrs. Melton.) How do you do, Mr. Editor! Is 
a stranger welcome at your office? 

Inglehart. 

(Turns in his chair and looks at him scrutiniz- 
ingly.) Who are you, sir? 

Prince of Edom. 

(Bowing.) I am a practical man like yourself, 
Mr. Editor. I am interested in many issues, have 
had some experience in journalism and write a 
good deal. I have been dabbling some in politics 



ZOHARITA 153 



also. I am a man with education and can always 
get a job. At present I am a traveling agent. 

Inglehart. 
{Rises with an interrogating look.) You an- 
swer to the description of a man of bad repute. 
What is your name, sir? 

Prince of Edom. 

(Bowing.) You may call me Johnson or Han- 
son for the sake of convenience. 

Inglehart. 
Not Prince — ? 

Prince of Edom. 

(Bowing.) Do as you like. A travelling man, 
and a stranger at that, can never be so particular. 

Inglehart. 

(More considerate.) Maybe I am mistaken as 
to your identity. Is there anything I can do for 
you, sir? 

Prince of Edom. 
Well, as to my errand, I should like to know 
what you have to say about the coming eclipse of 
the sun. 

Inglehart. 

(With an inquiring look.) What eclipse have 
you reference to ? 



154 ZOHARITA 



Prince of Edom. 
The impending eclipse today, at this very hour. 
(Bowing.) It may turn dark any minute. 

Inglehart, 
(Surprised.) It is the first I have heard of it. 
Eclipse of the sun today ! It can't be possible — 

Prince of Edom. 
(Bowing.) Well, we will soon find out. 

Inglehart. 
Whence have you your information? 

Prince of Edom. 
I wish to have your opinion first on another 
subject, about which I am exceedingly anxious, 
then, later, we may talk eclipse. 

Inglehart. 
Very well. 

Prince of Edom. 

I would much like to know your opinion re- 
specting destiny. As everybody has his troubles, 
so have I mine, and I have thought about destiny 
of late, until things have turned around in my head. 
Knowing that editors are well posted on all ques- 
tions, it occurred to me that I might do well to see 



ZOHARITA 155 



you on this subject. (Bowing.) Destiny or no 
destiny. That's the question. 

Inglehart. 
This is an interesting topic, and I am glad 
to make your acquaintance, stranger. (Gives him 
his hand.) Of course, this is one of the questions 
we editors have not yet quite settled. Still, for my 
part, I believe in destiny. 

Prince of Edom. 

(Bowing.) So do I. You believe then, with 

me, that a man's deeds, be they great or small, few 

or many, good or bad, of no account or of great 

significance, are parts and impulses of his destiny? 

Inglehart. 

(Pondering a little.) Well, I would rather as- 
sume they are. 

Prince of Edom. 

Then there ought to be justifiable excuses for 
both you and me? 

Inglehart. 

(With a questioning look.) What do you 
mean? 

Prince OF Edom. 

Well, as a travelling agent, I am lacking some- 
what in moral development, and my ethics are 



156 ZOHARITA 



rather primitive, according to the views of religious 
people. (With a deep bow.) However, I regard 
you as a perfect gentleman with many virtues. 

Inglehart. 

You better not lay too much stress on my vir- 
tues, as I don't pretend to be a saint. 

Prince of Edom. 

(Bowing.) Neither do I pretend to be a saint, 
and I am encouraged to know that we might be 
good company after all; at least, there ought to be 
ample excuses for both of us, inasmuch as our 
deeds are but phenomena of destiny. 

Inglehart. 

(Smiling.) This is interesting. Phenomena of 
destiny, you say? 

Prince of Edom. 

(Bowing.) Yes, incontrovertibly so. For ex- 
ample: Suppose it should fall to my lot to burn 
a man alive, or to your lot to set fire to this build- 
ing, they would merely be deeds of destiny. 

Inglehart. 

(With a suspicious look.) You then include 
all deeds in destiny? 



ZOHARITA 157 



Prince of Edom. 

All or none. Or where would you draw the 
line ? Destiny or no destiny, that's the question. 

Inglehart. 

Your view is broad and impressive. To in- 
clude all our doings in the destiny of our lives is 
quite satisfactory, when I come to think of it. 

Prince of Edom. 
(Bows, smiling.) So it is, indeed. It relieves 
the mind and eases the conscience, for it shows we 
are irresponsible and that things have other causes 
than people believe. Of course, as a travelling 
agent, I hate the truth, as a rule. Nevertheless, 
there are exceptions. In this case, the truth is 
highly recommendable to everybody, and not the 
least because of the light it throws on many dis- 
puted questions. For instance, statistics show, that 
there are immensely more criminals among people 
of certain religious ideas than among people of 
other sects, indicating that crime originates with a 
misleading religion; whereas, the fact is, they are 
due to people's destiny. (He makes a deep how.) 

Inglehart. 
Your view is really inspiring. Why, it is true 
as the saying goes : "There is always something to 
learn from a stranger." 



158 ZOHARITA 



Prince of Edom. 
(Bowing.) I am delighted, Mr. Editor! (It is 
turning dark.) Behold, the ecHpse is taking place! 
(Swings his hand emphatically.) Darkness is 
upon us I 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
(Comes excited from another room.) For 
goodness sake, it is turning dark ! 

Inglehart. 

(As bewildered.) It is an eclipse of the sun! 
(It is getting inky dark, and no one can be seen.) 

Prince of Edom. 

(In a hollow voice.) I rejoice and feel strong 
in darkness ! Darkness is my sign and my abode 
and the mother of my children. Darkness do I give 
my servants, and by darkness am I remembered ! 
Good-bye, my friends ; may darkness be your 
handmaiden. (He laughs.) 

Inglehart. 

(Shouting in the darkness.) Get thee hence, 
thou hideous one ! 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

(Screams.) For goodness sake, is the devil 
here? 



ZOHARITA 159 



Inglehart. 

Yes, yes, look out! 

(Hideous laughter is heard for a brief moment.) 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

(With a cry.) Oh, mercy, he is here! 
(The light is gradually returning and Inglehart 
is seen stumbling about.) 

Inglehart. 
He is gone — 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
Bless the Lord; the eclipse is over! 
(They face each other with an expression of 
relief. ) 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

(With her chest heaving.) Oh, how I was 
frightened ! 

Inglehart. 
How shall we account for this? 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

The apparition of the devil is a bad omen, I 
have heard. 

Inglehart. 

(Looks about, with his fists closed tightly.) 
He may have a trap laid, but he cannot fool me 
twice. 



160 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Melton. 

{Enters a?id bows to them both.) How do 
you do? 

(They are both surprised and assume a gentle 
attitude, bowing in return.) 

Inglehart. 

Well, well, how do you do, Mrs. Melton! I 
can assure you, we are very pleased to have you 
call on us. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

Yes, indeed we are, Mrs. Melton. 

Mrs. Melton. 

( To Inglehart. ) The tide has turned, and I 
now come to ask you to announce in your paper, 
that I no longer oppose Melton's reform work, and 
no longer oppose Zoharita. Announce further, I 
pray, that all I have said unfavorably about my 
husband and her has been due to misunderstanding 
on my part, and greatly fostered by false stories 
in your paper. 

Inglehart. 

I am no longer head of the paper. You better 
see Mr. Aldrich on this matter. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
(Moving about nervously.) The devil has been 
here, too. Has just gone — 



ZOHARITA 161 



Mrs. Melton. 
{To Inglehart, determinedly.) I will accept 
no excuse, Mr. Inglehart. I even request you to 
retract your scandalous story and malicious state- 
ments about Zoharita and my husband. 

Inglehart. 

I shall do nothing of the kind, and I refuse to 
admit having mistreated either of you. 

Mrs. Melton. 

No more parley about this, Mr. Inglehart. We 
have all the evidence we need against you, and I 
hope you don't desire the law to settle the matter. 

Inglehart. 
I have nothing more to say. 

Mrs. Melton. 
I am very, very sorry. (She goes.) 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
(Turns to Inglehart, anxiously,) Do you sup- 
pose they can do us any harm? 

Inglehart. 
The matter is serious enough. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
Oh, I am afraid they may take it to court. 



162 ZOHARITA 



Inglehart. 
Very likely they will — 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

Mercy! First the devil and the darkness, and 
then this. 

Inglehart. 

Yes, but I would rather be beaten in court than 
make a confession. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
(Anxiously.) Oh, it mustn't happen! It would 
ruin us ! 

Inglehart. 

You can thank Aldrich for the whole blame 
trouble. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

(Emphatically.) But you were too willing to 
listen to him ; too willing to serve him ; too willing 
to be his slave. (Comes closer.) Isn't there any 
way out at all? 

Inglehart. 
(Significantly.) Yes, there is one way out. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
Oh, is there — 

Inglehart. 
I mean fire. Let the whole thing burn ! 



ZOHARITA 163 



Mrs. Inglehart. 
(Steps back with her hands on her bosom,) Oh, 
God, after all — 

Inglehart. 
{As to himself.) Destiny, or no destiny. 



ACT IV. 
Scene II. 



A street on election day. A poll or voting place, with 
the United States flag displayed, near the corner, to the 
right. 

A hand wagon, with music, is heard passing on the op- 
posite street, in the background. Men are going in and 
out at the poll, where a policeman is patrolling. 

(Two men enter from the left.) 



First Man. 
(As they enter.) What about this European 
general who has mixed up in our politics? Is it 
all newspaper talk do you suppose? (They stop). 

Second Man. 
I should think there must be some basis for all 
this talk. It is at any rate certain that the general 



164 ZOHARITA 



knows his business ; or why should he make inti- 
mate friends of John Aldrich and the government 
officials, and advocate preparedness on such a stu- 
pendous scale? 

First Man. 
There is something about all this I can't get 
into my block. It isn't only John Aldrich and the 
government officials the general is befriending; he 
makes calls even on our women folks. 

Second Man. 
Yes, Mrs. Melton has taken sick as the result 
of his visit, I have heard. 

First Man. 
And it has turned to the worst quite suddenly, 
I understand. The doctors think she will never 
recover. 

Second Man. 
But what interest can the general have in op- 
posing this harmless woman Zoharita, who now has 
started to build a temple of worship out on Melton 
Hill? 

First Man. 
Well, I suppose he is aware that the eflFect of 
her teaching is counteracting his proposals to the 
government. 



ZOHARITA 165 



Second Man. 
(As they proceed to the poll.) I see, I see. 
{As the two men go into the poll, Zoharita enters 
slowly and observingly from the left, and Mrs. 
Lenox from the right.) 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{To the policeman, in great disgust, as Zoharita 
is nearing.) It certainly is a shame that drunkards 
and ignorant men are allowed to vote while highly 
educated women are forbidden. It is clear enough 
that men have made the laws. 

The Policeman. 

{With a twinkle in his eye and a side-glance 
at Zoharita, who is listening.) I never thought 
there was any dispute as to who made the laws. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{Haughtily.) The idea! 

The Policeman. 

Well, women, idiots and convicts aren't per- 
mitted to vote in this state. 

Mrs. Lenox. 

{Turning to Zoharita, with a contemptuous 
glance at the policeman.) The idea! I certainly 
ought to stand a degree above the idiot and the 
convict in my political rights. I am educated in 



166 ZOHARITA 



one of the best colleges in the country and pay 
taxes on more than a million dollars' worth of 
property. 

(The policeman looks at Mrs. Lenox with sur- 
prise and walks off to the right.) 

ZOHARITA. 

Women are evidently man's inferior in the eyes 
of the lawmakers, regardless of intelligence and 
education. 

Mrs. Lenox. 

(As they proceed slowly towards the left.) It 
shows the primitive man is yet expressing himself 
through the lawmakers with respect to the rights 
of women. 

{A young woman, ordinarily dressed, enters 
quickly from the left, followed, at a distance, by an 
elderly woman, who is stooped forward and shab- 
bily dressed.) 

The Elderly Woman. 
(Much exhausted as she enters hurriedly.) 
Wait! Maybe I can help you — 

(The young woman recognizes Mrs. Lenox and 
stops. She looks inquiringly at both her and Zo- 
harita. ) 

The Young Woman. 
(To the elderly one, as the latter is reaching 
up to her.) Poor woman, who can you help? 



ZOHARITA 167 



The Elderly Woman. 

(With difficulty, and her hand on her bosom.) 
You can have free shelter over your head in my 
Httle old house, though poor it be. 

ZOHARITA. 

(With a look at the woman, turns to Mrs, Len- 
ox.) Women are trying to get suffrage, and there 
is indeed need of it. But what would you propose 
to do with your vote, when you get it? Would 
you help to combat those enemies of human wel- 
fare, who force all kinds of undue suffering upon 
the people? 

Mrs. Lenox. 

(Nodding her head gracefully.) It is just what 
I am longing to do. I am doing the best I can now, 
too. Not that I look for any praise, yet permit 
me to tell you, that I am connected with the fore- 
most reform movements in the country, and that 
I give thousands of dollars every year, to for- 
eign and heathen missions, to home missions, 
to churches, charitable institutions, libraries, and 
universities. Still, if I only had the vote, I hope 
I should be able to do much more. 

The Young Woman. 
(Ironically.) Yes, Mrs. Lenox is always so 
willing to give, if she sees her way clear to have 



168 ZOHARITA 



it blown out in the newspapers. ' (She laughs sar- 
castically). 

Mrs. Lenox. 

(With a disdainful glance at the young wom- 
an.) The idea — 

The Elderly Woman. 
Would she only pay her poor working girls 
enough to save them from starving and going down 
the gang-plank of perdition, she would do infinitely 
better than by giving money to the Christianiza- 
tion of the heathen. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Looking hard at the woman.) Who are you, 
may I ask, who dare attack respectable people on 
the street? 

The Elderly Woman. 
(Attempting to strainghten herself.) I am one 
of your shirtmakers, if you wish to know. 

ZOHARITA. 

(To the elderly woman, kindly.) Do you work 
for this lady? 

The Elderly Woman. 
Yes, Ma'am. I am, or rather have been, making 
shirts in the Aldrich & Lenox shirt factory. (Sar* 
castically.) For one kind of shirts, I have had 



ZOHARITA 169 



twenty-five cents a dozen, and for another kind, 1 
have had thirty-five cents a dozen. I have made 
even as much as four dollars a week. A neighbor 
of mine, a vi^idow with three children, ha5 done 
even better than I, as she has been allowed to bring 
the goods home to be sewed on her machine, and 
with her own thread. She has been paid five cents 
a dozen more than I, besides having been fortu- 
nate enough to have a chance to work both night 
and day. Now, we all have a vacation. You see, 
lady, the working people's vacation came rather 
early this year, on account of the closing of the 
factories. 

ZOHARITA. 

(Sympathetically.) And no one to help you, 
dear sister? 

The Elderly Woman. 
(With forced laughter.) Sister? Ha-ha-ha! 
Did you say sister? You must be a stranger in 
our city? 

ZOHARITA. 

(To the young woman.) And where do you 
work, sister? 

The Young Woman. 

I? I too, used to work in that rich lady's shirt 
factory, but I was starved out. 



170 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Lenox. 
{To Zoharita.) The idea; they are too ab- 
surd to Hsten to. Our charity organizations provide 
for those who are in need. 

The Elderly Woman. 

(Mocking Mrs. Lenox.) The idea! I would 
much prefer to have decent pay for my work that 
I might not need be so absurd as to enjoy charity 
and hard work both! 

Mrs. Lenox. 

(Looking hard at the woman.) I shall certainly 
dispense with you. 

Zoharita. 

(To Mrs. Lenox.) She is poor, and forsaken 
and needs your love. Her dreams of happy days 
to come, and her hope for joy in this world, are 
crushed ; and I much deplore to think she has 
suffered this in your service, while you have been 
busy with charity work and the like elsewhere — 

The Elderly Woman. 

(Breaks down weeping.) No one has ever de- 
fended me and spoken kindly to me like she. Peo- 
ple have looked down upon me and left me to 
struggle alone. 



ZOHARITA 171 



Mrs. Lenox. 
{To Zoharita, emphatically,) My goodness, we 
can't permit ourselves to be carried off our feet 
by all sorts of lamentation. These people never 
take care of their money and that's why they never 
have a dollar saved up. And no sooner do they 
get a raise in wages before they imitate their bet- 
ters. 

- The Young Woman. 

(With forced laughter.) Like us, for instance — 
ha-ha-ha ! 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Haughtily.) I didn't speak to you. 

The Young Woman. 
(Uphraidingly.) Don't you think we have hu- 
man desires too, a nature very much like your own ? 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Indignantly.) The idea! 

The Young Woman. 
(Moving closer, her eyes flashing defiance.) 
Yes, the idea that I dare to speak to you. I am 
not your slave any more. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(In great wrath.) How dare you — I never saw 
you before — 



172 ZOHARITA 



The Young Woman. 

{With the same defiance.) But you have seen 
your shirtmakers at work, and I used to be one of 
them. A whole committee of us informed you that 
we could never afford to buy a full meal; and you 
told us you would see what you could do for us, 
and that's all it amounted to. One by one we were 
leaving, only to let others come and take our places 
and share our fate. {Vehemently.) Yes, leaving 
for what, after despair had taught us we could not 
live at honest work? Who is to blame? 

{A brief silence, and Mrs. Lenox turns her eyes 
away.) 

The Elderly Woman. 
{To the young woman mildly, taking her hand.) 
You come and stay with me, and never give up the 
fight. 

The Young Woman. 

Oh, it is useless to fight against poverty! It 
grips at my very soul! {Throws her arms wildly 
over her head). I fear it! I fear it! I suffer the 
pangs of hunger, and my mind is in a whirl. I can't 
stand it any longer! {She sobs bitterly and leans 
on the elderly woman.) 

The Elderly Woman. 

{Wiping her eyes with the apron and petting 
the young woman tenderly.) Poor child, I will 



ZOHARITA 173 



help you all I can. {To Zoharita.) Oh, I knew 
her mother and father well. They were both so 
good, but died early. 

Zoharita. 
(To the elderly woman.) Blessed be you and 
blessed be she. (Turns to Mrs. Lenox). There 
is something wrong somewhere, and I would much 
like to help you correct that wrong, if you would 
permit our working together for the good of this 
community. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Looks inquiringly, through her lorgnette, at 
Zoharita.) Who are you, who offers to assist me 
in my charitable undertakings? Mrs. Aldrich and 
myself, with some other ladies are just busy ar- 
ranging a charity ball to raise funds for relieving 
the suflFerings that have befallen the working class 
of the city. Would you probably like to take a hand 
in the work with us, may I ask? 

Zoharita. 

I must tell you plainly, that none of our social 
evils are ameliorated in the least by any of your 
donations or endeavors, here mentioned. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Surprised.) You surprise me! Are not our 
missions both at home and abroad, our charitable 



174 ZOHARITA 



institutions, our charity balls, churches and insti- 
tutions of learning all working harmoniously for 
the good of humanity? 

ZOHARITA. 

Yes, much, in the same way as our Red Cross 
workers in wars ; they try to bandage the bleeding. 
But why not prevent the war and thus prevent its 
horrors and the need of the Red Cross workers? 
Don't you see that all this is misspent energy? 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Astonished.) But my goodness — . Here is 
expended millions of dollars in missionary and 
charity work every year, and it must certainly do 
much good. 

ZOHARITA. 

It would be well for you to let me impress on 
your mind that this expenditure is mostly wasted 
in an attempt at self-deception. (Points at the two 
zvomen). There is the field where your charity 
should have begun. (The women look approv- 
ingly.) (Mrs. Lenox expresses defiance, hut Zo- 
harita raises her hand against her). No, my sister, 
let us talk this over in a loving spirit, and with 
sympathy for the suffering world. You are mis- 
instructed and misguided, like most of the people, 
and it is well for you to become aware thereof, that 



ZOHARITA 175 



you may make such corrections as will enable you 
to begin a real mission and a real work of love. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{Pacified.) Well, I am willing to reserve judg- 
ment until you have spoken. 

ZOHARITA. 

Then observe, that although it is good and well 
to give alms, to prevent the need of alms is still 
better. And although it is a deed of mercy as well 
as a duty to act as a Good Samaritan to the one 
who has fallen victim among the robbers on the 
v/ay, to help rid the way of robbers, with no more 
victims to aid, is still better. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{Approvingly.) Yes, yes; I agree with that. 

ZOHARITA. 

Then you will also agree, that true reform, 
which is always the most important charity work, 
must begin with the causes and not with the effects 
of wrongs. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{Nodding her head.) Yes, that sounds reason- 
able. You talk very learned. You must be a col- 
lege graduate yourself. {Smiling). Your sugges- 
tions are really philosophical. But where shall we 



176 ZOHARITA 



Strike at the causes of the wrongs of society? We 
can no longer pay attention to our distinguished 
Pastor Stevenson, as he is an apostate ; and we 
cant' listen to Earl Melton, as he is a revolutionist ; 
neither can we go by what Zoharita says, as she 
is a heathen ; and least of all can we hearken to 
the socialists, for they are crazy. 

Zoharita. 
(Cautiously.) Well, we need to make a Httle 
change in business methods. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Interrogatively.) Yes, probably. (Looking 
aside reflectively.) I wonder if that would help. 

Zoharita. 
There is something called "big business," is 
there not? 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Nodding her head suspiciously.) Yes — 

Zoharita. 
It is there the evil hand, you wish to stay, works 
its greatest mischief. For big business, under its 
present general principle, can't make wealth and 
luxury on the one hand without at the same time 
making poverty and abomination on the other. 



ZOHARITA 177 

Mrs. Lenox. 
(Astonished.) The audacity! To insinuate 
that poverty and misery are due to our legal in- 
dustrial manipulations. (Throwing back her head). 
The idea ! 

ZOHARITA. 

(Assuming authority.) The legal feature of 
the matter you need not mention; it is the results 
which testify. 

Mrs. Lenox. 

(On the defensive.) Are you aware that most 
of the people can't think and act for themselves, 
and that someone must plan and act for them? Is 
it then not right that the one whose mind and 
energy have created employment for the many shall 
have his due return in profit? 

ZOHARITA. 

A due return in profit, you say. Aye, of a 
truth, but no undue profit. No one has the right 
before God to use his superior ability or inherited 
wealth to enrich himself on the labor of his less 
fortunate fellow-men and let them suffer want. 
It is your duty, therefore, to pay those who work 
for you, enough to live decently, before you keep 
from their earnings any percentage as your profit. 
Because you haven't done so, you are responsible 
for their condition and suffering. 



178 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Lenox. 
(Indignant.) My employes are all free and may 
go elsewhere, if they can better themselves. I 
don't keep them as slaves by any means. I pay 
them according to a mutual agreement, and I feel 
free from any responsibility for them whatever. 

ZOHARITA. 

(Determinedly.) That's where you make a great 
mistake, dear sister. You have the power and are 
well aware, that the mutual agreement between 
yourself and your employes is a forced agreement 
on their part. The great trouble is that people are 
false to their inner convictions and live a lie. The 
principle of Christ is held not applicable in busi- 
ness, and the church has disregarded it as essential, 
even to spiritual happiness, which is held to be ob- 
tainable by other means. Hence your laws are 
made accordingly. (Points at the unfortunate 
women). Behold the victims of it all! (Pauses, 
and then reaches forth her arms). Oh, come, dear 
soul ! Open your heart to their woe ! Let the 
teaching of Christ be your religion and your law. 
Then you will become a center of strength and con- 
solation to the people. (Mrs. Lenox hows her 
head. ) 

(Fire hells are heard at a distance and fire wag- 
ons with hells and whistles are heard passing on 



ZOHARITA 179 



an opposite street. A man enters hurriedly from 
the right, and an explosion is heard at a distance.) 

The Man. 

(As he comes running.) The Press Building 
is on fire. (He continues out to the left, and other 
men follow him hurriedly from the right.) 

Mrs. Lenox. 

{To Zoharita, reaching forth her hand.) You 
have given me much to think about, and I wish to 
thank you. I shall try to make changes in various 
ways according to your suggestion. {To the two 
women). And you — let the past be forgotten. A 
new light has appeared to you as well as to me. 
From now on you shall have all you need. Follow 
me home. {To Zoharita.) And you I must learn 
to know more fully, whoever you are. 

{The two women are greatly surprised, looking 
at one another.) 

Zoharita. 

{To Mrs. Lenox.) I thank you in behalf of 
the many whose hearts you will gladden. And 
as you proceed to help the world by helping to re- 
move the causes of sin and suffering, you will look 
back upon this moment with thanks to God. {With 
a gentle bozv). My name is Zoharita. 



180 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Lenox. 

(As if stunned, gazes inquiringly at her for a 
moment; then with a happy smile again gives her 
her hand.) I have been mistaken. 

ZOHARITA. 

(Takes her hand.) All men have been mis- 
taken, but hail to the one who makes correction. 



ACT IV. 
Scene III. 



John Aldrich's office the evening of the same day. 
Aldrich is walking back and forth, smoking a cigar, and 
is in an ugly mood. A brass band is heard passing by, to 
the right, with people yelling — three cheers for Earl 
Melton! 

Aldrich. 

(Throws the cigar, disgusted.) Damn this 
election, anyhow ! 

An office clerk enters from the back room with 
election returns and reads from a slip of paper : 

80 precincts completed: 

Earl Melton— 15,000. 

Thos. Franklin— 970. 



ZOHARITA 181 



Aldrich. 
(In unrestrained fury.) Shut up! 

The Clerk. 
Very well, sir! (He goes), 

Aldrich. 
(Gesticulates.) May the red fire and deep 
waters swallow those worm eating voters ! If Ste- 
venson hadn't caved, this would never have hap- 
pened. 

A Newsboy. 
(Outside, to the right.) Journal-Extra! All 
about the big fire ! Many men hurt ! 

Aldrich. 
(Visibly affected.) One thing on top of the 
other. If one could only get out of it safely. 

The Clerk. 

(Enters from the rear room, bringing a news- 
paper.) It looks bad for Inglehart! It says here 
that he, and the editorial staff, and practically all 
who were connected with the paper, were out for 
lunch when the explosion took place. 

Aldrich. 

(Sits down back of his desk as if greatly 
shocked.) You don't say — 



182 ZOHARITA 



The Clerk. 

It relates also that the fire chief had found the 
janitor lying unconscious near the stairway, on 
the main floor, with some fuse in his pocket. 

Aldrich. 
( Wipes his brow. ) Oh, it must be a lie ! Don't 
you know it is the election day? 

The Clerk. 
(Hands him the paper.) The janitor has been 
taken to the City Hospital, it says. 

Aldrich. 

Who in the world could ever have thought any- 
thing crooked about Inglehart. 
{The clerk goes.) 

Stevenson. 
{Enters from the right — much moved.) I am 
sorry, very sorry! 

Aldrich. 
{Rises with a vicious look.) It is about time 
you were getting sorry. 

Stevenson. 
{Sternly.) Never mind me this time. The 
omens speak of you. 



ZOHARITA 183 



Aldrich. 
(Angrily, coming forth from his seat.) Am I 
to stand more charges from you? 

Stevenson. 
(Sternly, as before.) I don't come to accuse, 
I would only like to know if you need my help. 

Aldrich. 
( With a bitter grin. ) I see, you come and wish 
to be my friend again, eh? 

Stevenson. 

Something serious concerns you in what has 
now taken place. The man who was taken uncon- 
scious from the Press Building to the City Hospital 
is recovering and has made a confession, stating 
that he was hired by Inglehart to set the building 
on fire. 

Aldrich. 

(In a changed attitude.) That looks bad for 
Inglehart. I pity him, foolish man — ( He sits 
down and wipes his face.) 

Stevenson. 
I, too, pity him ; but I pity the other man more. 
And those who got hurt. All do I pity. 

Aldrich. 
I too, by God. We better bury our hatchets and 
take up a collection for them ; or what ? 



184 ZOHARITA 



The Clerk. 
(In the door, in the back.) Do you wish for 
any more election returns, Mr. Aldrich? 

Aldrich. 
Of course ! What have you got ? 

The Clerk. 
(Reading from a slip of paper.) A landslide 
for the Reform Party. Earl Melton is elected by 
an overwhelming majority. 

Aldrich. 

(Jumps up from his seat.) To Hades with the 
majority! (Turns his face to Stevenson with a 
vicious look, hesitating for a moment, and then ex- 
claims). The majority, the majority! Shall the 
majority have the right to ruin me? 

(The clerk goes.) 

Stevenson. 
(Looking disgustedly at Aldrich.) And yet 
there is some news worse than that — 

Aldrich. 
(With a threatening look.) Look out now for 
what you say — 

Stevenson. 
No sooner had the man at the hospital made 



ZOHARITA 185 



his confession, before a policeman brought in In- 
glehart to face his accuser. He attempted at first 
to deny his guilt, but broke down, and then he also 
made a confession. 

Aldrich. 
(Wiping his brow.) I suppose he blamed it on 
somebody else, like the other fellow. Inglehart 
never had any conscience, anyhow, so a lie more or 
less wouldn't matter — (He sits down.) 

Stevenson. 
(Firmly.) Yes, he implicated somebody higher 
up. 

Aldrich. 
(Jumps to his feet, with clenched fists.) Do 
you mean to say — 

Franklin. 

(Enters disgusted from the right and throws 
down his hat.) I am out and you are all in, Mr. 
Aldrich ! 

Aldrich. 
(To Franklin.) What kind of a government 
expert are you ? Do also you know where the wind 
blows from? 

Franklin. 
Wind ? You will get wind, good and plenty ! I 



186 ZOHARITA 



predict rough sailing before long. After implicat- 
ing you, Inglehart committed suicide. 

Stevenson. 
(Surprised.) My God! 

Aldrich. 
(With a look of satisfaction on his face.) I am 
glad he is dead ! I am glad for the good of the 
whole city that the confounded liar is out of the 
way. 

(Mrs. Inglehart enters — grief-stricken and ac- 
cuses Aldrich bitterly.) 

Mrs. Inglehart. 

You wicked gorilla ! Now my husband is out 
of your grip at last. You persuaded him to destroy 
the Press Building, and — 

Aldrich. 

(Cries out, with both fists raised against her.) 
You crazy woman! 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
(Defiantly.) You did! I heard it, although 
you were not aware of it. I know also that this 
tool of yours, Mr. Franklin, suggested the scan- 
dalous story about Melton. And now, when my 
husband no longer could stand the disgrace you 



ZOHARITA 187 



brought upon him, he ended his life. You mur- 
dered him ! 

Aldrich. 
(Angrily.) No more of this! Look out for 
what you say ! You are insane. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
(Unflinchingly.) Yes, I shall look out for you! 
Everybody shall look out for you! I am insane 
when telling you the truth about yourself, and so 
is everybody else when laying bare your deeds. 
But think of what you have done ! Think of what 
you have done, all of you ! You have worked har- 
moniously to the same end with the result that a 
great city suffers. You all deserve to be shot ! 

Stevenson. 
(Overwhelmed.) I have already begun a new 
life and a new work. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
Then, what business have you here? 

Stevenson. 
(Emphatically.) Because it is my hope that 
also Mr. Aldrich will begin a new life and a new 
work. 

Mrs. Inglehart. 
(With raised voice.) Yes, in the penitentiary! 



188 ZOHARITA 



And I shall produce evidence that will place him 
there ! 

The Clerk. 
(In the door, at the rear, calls aloud.) Do you 
wish for any more election returns, Mr. Aldrich? 



ZOHARITA 189 



ACT V. 
Scene I. 

Some years later. A road rising along a hillside, from 
left to right. Tree tops are seen in the background, rising 
above the hill from the lowland, below. 

Temple bells ring in the distance for a brief moment, 
and faint thunder is heard, far away. 

Prince of Edom, wearing a black toga and a black skull 
cap, comes running from the left and stops, half way up 
the hill. 

Prince of Edom. 

(Excited.) The hill-climbers are all about me! 
All are persisting in reaching the summit and the 
new temple ; and if they do, I have no more power 
over them! (With emphasis, swinging his hand). 
Forces, blind but willing, strike at my command! 

(Thunder sounds nearer.) 

A Man's Voice. 
(To the right.) Hard climbing — 

A Woman's Voice. 
Yes ; see to it that you don't slip ! 

Prince of Edom. 
(Shakes his fist toward the right.) But I shall 



190 ZOHARITA 



see to it that you do slip ! I am the warden here ! 
Who dares ascend? 

(A woman dressed in white, with a basket of 
white flowers, climbs up the hill from the right, 
followed by a man, in a dark gray suit.) 

The Man. 
You are a great climber. 

The Woman. 

(Stops and looks back.) Yes, I have been 
climbing much, and I love to climb. 

(Another woman dressed in white comes up the 
hill, from the right.) 

Second Woman. 

What a struggle to ascend this hill for one who 
doesn't know the way. 

The Man. 
That's my experience also. 

Prince of Edom. 

(Who has been watching and listening with 
tense attention.) You are trespassing on forbid- 
den ground! Not before you have conquered me 
shall you ever reach your goal. 



ZOHARITA 191 



The Man. 
( To Prince of Edom.) To hell with you ! What 
have we to do with you ? 

Prince of Edom. . 

I am here to block your way. {The women 
and the man advance up the hill, to the road. Prince 
of Edom tries to evade the women hut attacks the 
man. The women stand off, looking with anxiety. 
After wrestling for some time Prince of Edom 
prevails, and carries the man up to the crest and 
throws him down out of view, in the background.) 

Prince of Edom. 
{As he hurls the man.) Down to your doom! 

{The women scream and hurry up to the crest, 
while Prince of Edom steps aside, laughing sar- 
castically. ) 

First Woman. 
{Looking down the hill, in the background.) 
Oh, he is still rolling and sliding! There he got 
hold of a little tree, on the hillside ! Oh, he is safe ! 
{Calls down the hill, pointing towards the left). 
Go round about ! There is a road leading up from 
the left ! 

The Man. 
{Below the hill.) I am not through with that 



192 ZOHARITA 



devil yet ! Had I been aware of his tricks he would 
never have thrown me. 

First Woman. 

(Takes some flozvers out of her basket and 
waves them with her hand.) I know you will have 
power over him. Remember my white temple- 
lilies ! 

The Man. 

Ah, yes ! 

First Woman. 

{With raised voice, moving toward Prince of 
Edom.) You dare not touch us! And get you 
out of our way ! 

Prince of Edom. 
{Retreating along the hillside toward the right.) 
Your white garments save you. {He hastens out 
to the right.) 

Second Woman. 
Oh, what a dangerous man ! 

First Woman. 
Yes, thank God that he has no power over us. 

Second Woman. 

It was our good fortune we had white garments 
which he couldn't touch. 



ZOHARITA 193 



First Woman. 
Yes, so he said. Neither could he touch these 
lilies, which I have cultivated especially for Zoha- 
rita. ( They proceed out to the right, and at the 
same time, Pastor Stevenson and Mrs. Lenox enter 
from the left, both attired in white.) 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{As they enter.) I well remember even from 
my childhood days how Melton Hill was regarded 
as an abode of trolls. 

Stevenson. 
{As they stop.) So do I. ■ 

Mrs. Lenox. 
I used to believe in trolls myself. 

Stevenson. 

I not only used to believe in trolls, but I even 
used to be guided by trolls. 

Mrs. Lenox. 

Maybe the saying is true that all men have 
been ruled by trolls? 

Stevenson. 

{Pondering.) It is a queer saying, Mrs. Lenox; 
yet I think it is true. 



194 ZOHARITA 



Mrs. Lenox. 
Perhaps that's why Zoharita came to our city 
that the people might be saved from the trolls, 
and from the belief in trolls? 

Stevenson. 
You are impressed with a remarkable truth, Mrs. 
Lenox, a truth which makes me reflect on strange 
circumstances. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
How so? 

Stevenson. 
Legends tell us that an old Indian tribe that 
dwelt in this region, and who evidently invented 
the myth about the trolls, entertained the belief that 
the Great Spirit would some day descend upon 
Melton Hill and dwell there as an everlasting light 
to His people. The legend goes on to say that the 
trolls shall then be transformed into men and do 
the will of the Great Spirit and worship Him. 
Strange was it therefore, that Zoharita came and 
built a temple upon that hill as a dwelling place 
for the Great Spirit and a reformatory for trolls. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{Looking at Stevenson much mystified.) Oh, 
how remarkable! And think of the wonderful 



ZOHARITA 195 



change the people and conditions have undergone 
since Zoharita came to the city. 

Stevenson. 

Like the storm and the rain, the light and the 
heat, all in one force at the coming of spring, so 
a transforming power came upon us. At first the 
elements were agitated, and pains and pangs were 
felt, we did not know why; but song and summer 
followed, and we now realize it all came to pass 
because a new life was born. 

Mrs. Lenox. 
{Nodding her head approvingly.) Yes, how 
true. That John Aldrich was sent to the peniten- 
tiary was in itself a notable event. And wasn't 
it strange, too, that as one change followed the 
other in rapid succession, and as a new political 
party came into power, and the industries were 
token over by the municipality, Mrs. Melton died, 
just as if she, too, was a unit of that old regime 
that went under? 

Stevenson. 
{Nodding his head.) Even we were units of 
that old regime and went under in a way. It so 
had to be, that truth and justice might triumph. 
Only then was it possible for religion to come to 
its right. Now, moral teachings have taken the 



196 ZOHARITA 



place of false theories, and people praise God in 
understanding and happiness. 

{The thunder strikes hard, near by.) 

Stevenson. 

(As they both look visibly concerned about the 
weather.) We better hasten on, Mrs. Lenox, lest 
we shall be overtaken by a thunderstorm. (He 
starts toward the right, with Mrs. Lenox follow- 
ing, when suddenly the whole hill trembles and 
shakes.) 

Mrs. Lenox. 

{Frightened.) Earthquake! God help us ! 

{People scream "earthquake" farther off both 
to the right and to the left. Prince of Edom 
raises his head above the crest of the hill, in the 
background, and laughs scornfully.) 

Mrs. Lenox. 

{Frightened, and holding on to Stevenson with 
both hands.) That's Prince of Edom! Oh God, 
that's Prince of Edom! 

{Stevenson holds Mrs. Lenox protectingly and 
looks about in amazement,) 

Prince of Edom. 

{Rises to his feet, on the top of the hill. He is 
followed by several small quacking dwarfs, and, 
with a grin, shakes his fist threateningly.) You 



ZOHARITA 197 



people have deserted me, but as yet I have not de- 
serted you. By tempest and earthquake I shall 
make you return to the low land, and my curse 
shall follow you! 

Stevenson. 

(Raises his fist against him.) You have no 
power over us ! 

(Earl Melton enters from the left, wearing a 
zvhite toga, and followed by a group of people 
dressed in white; Grace and Mrs. Inglehart are 
among them. Prince of Edom observes Melton 
with surprise. He grins and shakes his fist, ex- 
claiming) : I shall be ahead of you all at the tem- 
ple door ! (He hastens out to the right, with the 
dwarfs following, quacking.) 

Melton. 

(With a forceful gesture, looking back to his 
followers.) Despite thunder and earthquake and 
imps from Hades we still proceed ! 

(Stevenson and Mrs. Lenox bow to Melton and 
step aside. Melton continues up the road, towards 
the right, and all the others follow. Temple bells 
again ring in the distance.) 



198 ZOHARITA 



ACT V. 

Scene II. 

Melton Hill a while later. Zoharita's temple, to the 
left and partly in the background, with only the front 
and entrance in view. In the background, farther to the 
right, is seen lower landscape with hills and trees in the 
distance. 

A storm is raging with thunder and lightning and drift- 
ing clouds. During the storm the light oscillates between 
normal and semi-darkness. At each flash of lightning 
the scene is lighted up for an instant during the darkest 
moments. 

Prince of Edom. 

{On the outside, to the right, in a voice of great 
stress and worry.) Fatal hour if defeat must come ! 
In spite of my efforts Melton is nearing! If he 
enters the temple it means he is my conqueror. (He 
enters with long sweeping steps from the right, 
zvearing the same costume as in the preceding scene. 
He is accompanied by dwarfs, carrying guns, and 
swings his hands over his head). Oh, hear me, 
forces of nature and tempest mighty ! Stay their 
march and triumph ! 

(He listens, and the dwarfs quack. The storm 
is raging and the clouds drifting ; lightning flashes, 
and thunder rumbles. Presently there is a lull in 
the thunder, and Prince of Edom continues in the 
same manner.) 

Worry upon worry, and defeat upon defeat 
have made my life miserable ! Here I am, looking 



ZOHARITA 199 



back upon a long career of struggle! Early and 
late, night and day, have I been at work from the 
beginning, and of all creatures I alone am without 
rest. My lot it is, and always was, to put mind 
against mind and hand against hand. But with 
grief I must witness, that because of my labor man 
is ever in search for new powers and new means 
of protection, elevating himself through an ever 
shifting conflict. 

I have labored with skill and precaution, yet, 
no sooner have I completed a work of marvel and 
greatness than it has faded away as a cloud of 
vapor. No sooner have I built myself a palace and 
ascended the throne of my kingdom than the ground 
and royal edifice begin to sink, with cracks opening, 
and pillars leaning and falling. 

No sooner have I established a business before 
my trusted servants have proved untrue and hand- 
ed my goods over to another lord and left me. And 
now, as I enjoyed the consummation of my mili- 
tary development of the ages, and had succeeded 
in teaching man to pride himself in the belief, that 
this achievement was his protection and blessing, 
he suddenly discovers it to be his curse. Yes, well 
do I know, and with grief I must witness, that he 
will not rest before he has destroyed it all. Yet, 
in the meanwhile, I shall not be idle. The deni- 
zens of the dark deep shall fight for my cause. 



200 ZOHARITA 



{Looks about, gesticulating). Press on, press on, 
ye demons of darkness, and let it be known, far 
and near, that Prince of Edom claims the earth! 
{The thunder and lightning increase for a mo- 
ment, and Prince of Edom pauses. Presently an- 
other lull, and he continues more calmly, while, 
occasionally, flashes of lightning, unattended by 
thunder, illuminate the scene and the drifting 
clouds.) 

In high places I have dwelt through ages long 
and misty, and the faith of man I have controlled 
at will. But lo, here a magic light from yonder 
star crystallizes in a woman and affirms the long 
rejected teaching of the renowned conqueror from 
Nazareth, that by the condition of his heart and 
his own deeds alone can man rise or fall before 
his Maker. 

This woman has caused me worry and she has 
caused me defeat. Her light has driven me from 
one stronghold after another and made me homeless 
as the drifting clouds. The spirit of revolt has 
seized the people, and grievous beyond bounds is 
my disappointment. 

Press on, press on, ye forces of my dwelling 
plane ! May the rage of the elements voice my 
grief ! 

{The thunder increases violently for a brief 
moment, and Prince of Edom pauses, lightning 



ZOHARITA 201 



flashes, and drifting clouds continue, as he again 
proceeds, emphatically.) 

Yet, if the world should now at last reject me, 
I rejoice that I have had my day and paid in full 
for all the service rendered me. My ordinances 
have been kept by the whole of Christendom in 
preference to the commandments of its founder. 
He taught love and forgiveness, and advocated 
justice on earth as it is in heaven; I have instigated 
hate and revenge, and advocated strife and con- 
flict. (Clenches and shakes his fist). And behold, 
I have prevailed ! By having had dominion in 
Christendom I have cursed the earth with wars 
and bloodshed and made nations weep and suffer 
(The dwarfs flourish their guns.) But, to my 
great regret, it will come to pass in the days of the 
coming race, that, whenever guns are fired, people 
shall remember the transgressions of their fathers, 
and their retribution at the hands of Prince of 
Edom, and pity them. (The storm and lightning 
have ceased gradually, and he looks about in anx- 
iety.) I fear I am losing out in this game — 

(The organ plays softly in the temple for a 
moment, and Prince of Edom raises his fist toward 
the temple.) Half of all that thou art thou owest 
me! 

A Powerful Voice. 

(Speaks solemnly within the temple, and a 



202 ZOHARITA 



stream of light shines through the open door from 
within.) "To him that overcometh will I give to 
eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the 
paradise of God." 

{The dwarfs quack, lower their guns and look 
up into the face of Prince of Edom.) 

Several Voices. 
{Sing within the temple). Amen, Amen! And 
the tree of life shall give unto him immortality. 

Prince of Edom. 

By my soul, that voice sounds familiar to me ! 
It calls on man to overcome me, {Shakes his fist.) 
but I defy it, and I defy all who contend with me ! 

{The sign of the cross appears suddenly in the 
light-stream, in the temple door, and Prince of 
Edom looks at it with awe.) It is an omen that 
seems to bespeak my defeat. {Moves hack a step 
as if in fear.) It is the sign of him who dwells in 
the temple. {Clinches his fist.) But I still defy — 

{The sign of the cross changes into a human 
shape, in the image of Jesus Christ, robed in a flow- 
ing garment. The apparition looks at Prince of 
Edom.) 

Prince of Edom. 
{Looking terror-stricken at the apparition.) 
My doom is sealed! {The dwarfs flee, quacking, 



ZOHARITA 203 



disappearing to the right, near the foreground; 
zvhile Prince of Edom retreats sideways and labo- 
riously to the right, shielding himself with hands 
and arms, as he moves slowly). Thine is the king- 
dom and the power and the glory. 

(At this time Zoharita enters from the back- 
ground, at the right, and is robed as a bride with 
the circlet of jewels, she has formerly worn, around 
her head. Prince of Edom stands amazed as he 
sees her enter. He points toward her and con- 
tinues : ) And yours is the victory and the renown ! 
(He disappears to the right. Zoharita moves for- 
ward a few steps and kneels before the apparition) . 

The Apparition. 

Well done, good and faithful servant, who has 
carried the light to my children. Enter thou into 
the glory of thy Lord. (He vanishes, and Zoharita 

rises, facing the temple.) 

Zoharita. 

Thy light shall illuminate the world at last. 
Glory to thy name! (She turns slowly and looks 
toward the background, at the right, and, after a 
brief moment, Melton enters with his flock of 
white-dressed followers. Zoharita proceeds to 
meet him.) 



204 ZOHARITA 



Melton. 

(To Zoharita, as she takes his arm.) At last, 
my joy and my bride ! 

Zoharita. 

I have been waiting for thee these many days, 
and wondered if Prince of Edom hindered thee 
from coming. 

Melton. 
{Holding her arm.) No, thanks to you, he 
could no longer hinder me. {The organ plays for 
a moment, and they proceed into the temple with 
the people following. At this time the procession 
U joined by other zvhite-dressed people that enter 
from all sides.) 

The Voice. 
{Within the temple, as the people enter.) Be- 
hold, I make all things new ! The tabernacle of 
God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and 
they shall be his people. 

Many Voices. 
{Singing, as the organ again plays.) Amen, 
Amen! 

{The organ continues to play.) 



Table of Contents. 



Page 
Cast of Characters 3 

Act I 5 

Act II 58 

Act III 107 

Act IV 15Z 

Act V iSq 



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